There’s a lovely blogging group, that you may or may not know about, called the Love Bloghop. Every month they highlight a seasonal ingredient and we all link up together so you can see everyone’s recipes. I’ve participated many times, but as you know, life has a way of keeping you busy…and I think this is my first time back in several months!
I really love doing these bloghops, not just because of the extra exposure one gets, but also because it’s a great way to discover delicious, new recipes from all over the web in one convenient place!
In recent months, I have become obsessed, perhaps even infatuated, with watermelon salad. I combine juicy, delicious watermelon atop a bed of arugula, sprinkle with some mint (or basil), goat cheese, and a drizzle of oil and balsamic vinegar, and I’m in heaven.
Seriously, you can ask Nate, I ate this salad for dinner every night for at least 2 weeks straight. But now that peaches are equally juicy and in season, I couldn’t help myself from buying a few the other day. And you know what? They are just as good, if not better in this same simple salad.
The bitter arugula, sweet peaches, creamy goat cheese and fragrant mint combine in the most amazing way. Also, at Nate’s insistance, I added some candied pecans on top.
If it looks like there isn’t mint in my pictures, it’s because I forgot it at the market when I photographed this and wasn’t about to go back and get it. But trust me, you don’t want to leave it out!
I join with the following lovely hosts this month for #peachlove!
Becky @ Baking and Cooking, A Tale of Two Loves
Betsy @ Java Cupcake
T.R. @ No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
Jessica @ Oh Cake
Shelia @ Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
Helena @ Rico sin Azúcar
Linda @ Savoring Every Bite
Liz @ That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!!
EA Stewart @ The Spicy RD
Susan @ The Wimpy Vegetarian
Serena @ Teaspoon of Spice Serena
Please join in on the #peachlove fun by linking up any peach recipe from the month of August 2012. Don’t forget to link back to this post, so that your readers know to come stop by the #peachlove event! The twitter hashtag is #peachlove 
.
Recipe is below linkup!
Arugula Salad with Peaches, Goat Cheese, Mint, and Candied Pecans
Serves 2
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 Tbsp sugar
3 cups arugula
1 ripe and juicy peach, sliced
3 Tbsp crumbled goat cheese
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
Put chopped pecans in a small saute pan over med-hi heat. Sprinkle with the sugar. Stir occassionally until sugar melts and coats pecans. Turn the candied nuts out onto a piece of tinfoil to cool.
Put arugula and mint in a medium-sized bowl and toss with the oil and vinegar. Add peaches and goat cheese and toss to combine. Divide on plates and sprinkle with pecans
I love fruity salads, this salty-sweet combination between cheese goat, nuts and peaches is fantastic. With some chicken cubes it would be a complete and hearty dish!
Sending you lots of #peachlove!
Thanks, Helena!
I’m in heaven too with this salad! In fact, I’m going to make this for lunch today as you so sparked my desire! I love arugula based salads and the ingredients all compliment each other beautifully!
That’s a very beautiful salad and I’m sure it’s full of flavour. Peaches! Such a wonderful fruit. I can’t wait for summer so I can start enjoying them again xx
Thanks, Charlie! Oh right, I forgot it’s not summer there…sorry to tempt you.
I have so much stone fruit sitting on my table right now…I think this needs to be made with a pluot/peach medley!
oooh, great idea!
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This looks lovely-so light and refreshing! I love the addition of mint too (but I hear ya’ on not wanting to go back to the store for a photograph
So glad to have you back in the love hop!
I would have never thought to put these together… but that salad looks like heaven!!!
Pleasure bloghopping with you!
<3 Betsy
Thanks, Betsy
#peachlove!
Okay, that salad looks amazing. My mother, when she finds something she likes, becomes OBSESSED with it. This reminds me of a pear salad she became obsessed with, and now can’t eat because she over-dosed. But the peaches and mint in there? I think they will add just the change up she needs for a NEW obsession. Yippie!
Thanks, Rachel! Oh man, I love pear salads too…in the autumn…with blue cheese. YUM! Now I can’t wait for the fall
What a lovely and refreshing peach salad…
I am missing the #bloghop so much, hopefully will be able to join from next month…. Summers have been nothing but crazy with kids n their zillions activities and the best part they are still BORED
Anyways really pretty salad and happy #peachlove.
Hi Reem. I’m impressed you even have time to cook with all your kid activities! I don’t think I’m as good at time management
Amy, this is such a refreshing and delicious looking salad – love all the elements and would not have thought of adding the mint here. A beautiful summer touch!
Thanks Kelly! The mint really makes it. It’s really good with basil too. There’s something about fresh herbs in the summer…last night I made a meal that, all together, used fresh basil, mint, parsley and dill!
This peach salad sounds delicious! I always look forward to peach season…this salad would definitely make a refreshing summer meal.
Thanks, Christina. A good peach is one of my favorite things in summer
This looks like a wonderful summer salad! I used to not like peaches but now I’m all over them
Why thank you, Bianca! You didn’t used to like peaches?! Musta been cuz you hadn’t had a good one
Using peaches in a salad is one of my favorite ways to have peaches!
I’m still looking for the perfect peach to arrive in Maine. Your salad sounds great with the combination of bitter arugula with the sweetness from peaches.
Really, still no peaches there? Wow. well, it’s worth it to live someplace so beautiful
Gosh, I love everything about this salad….who needs entrees with beauties like this!!!
Thanks, Liz! I totally agree. This salad is so satisfying!