Peach, tomato and cultured ricotta cheese salad (aka Teresa’s Salad)

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups fresh arugula (rocket)
  • 4 ripe but firm yellow peaches, cut into wedges
  • 4 tomatoes, preferably a mix of large heirloom tomatoes, cores and cut into wedges
  • ½ cup fresh cultured ricotta cheese such as this one
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (this one is by far THE BEST in the market but any aged one would do)
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • Optional – 1/4 cup raw organic pistachio kernels

recipe video

DIRECTIONS

  1. Spread the arugula on a serving platter. Arrange the peaches and tomatoes on top and add dollops of ricotta cheese.
  2. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and oil and season with salt and fresh pepper. Serve immediately.

What are the benefits of this dish?

Packed with flavor and nutritional value, peaches are one of my all-time favorite fruits. 

Peaches contain an impressive assortment of nutrients, including fiber, vitamins C, A, E and K, potassium, niacin, copper, and iron. (1) But their health-promoting properties are mainly due to the presence of polyphenols, which deserve a special mention due to their free radical scavenging activities and their ability to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. (2, 3, 4)

Polyphenols in peaches even contain bioactive compounds that may fight off diabetes, heart disease and obesity-related diseases.  It’s best to consume peaches in moderation as they contain fructose, which may be harmful to your health and/or cause digestive distress in excessive quantities! (5)

It’s also advised to purchase organic peaches whenever possible, as they can be high in pesticides. For more information on high-pesticide fruits and vegetables, check out the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen list.

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