I finally went to one of those olive oil/balsamic vinegar stores. You know, where you sample flavored oil oils and vinegars like fine wines? Kind of a weird experience but totally delicious in terms of elevating a simple salad- and of course I left with my favorite sample, the peach white balsamic.
Here is a sample of what I’ll throw together when I’m home on the weekend and need a quick salad. Fancy balsamic definitely elevates this, but there’s nothing better than the sweet grapes + toasty crunchy walnuts + creamy goat cheese with baby lettuces. Add some peachy white balsamic? Swoon.
- ⅛ cup walnuts
- ¼ cup red grapes
- 2 cups baby greens mix
- 2 tablespoons goat cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fruity white balsamic vinegar
- In a pan on low heat, toast walnuts until a few dark spots appear and they are warm. Chop them up a bit.
- Slice firm red grapes in half.
- Plate baby greens (mine was a mix of chard, kale, and spinach) on a plate and top with chopped toasted walnuts, sliced grapes, and crumbled goat cheese.
- Mix together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar and drizzle over the salad.
Use any fruit, nut, and cheese combo you want. Besides this, some of my favorites are apple + sunflower seed + manchego or pear + pecan + gouda.
Are you team green grape or red grape? Team fancy balsamic or who cares about salad dressing?
Marisa
EA-The Spicy RD says
Fancy vinegar or not, I am most definitely swooning!! Thee is a fancy oil and vinegar store not to far from me-I think I need to make a trip there soon to sample 🙂 Great salad and so easy too!
Anne|Craving Something Healthy says
Grapes, walnuts and goat cheese – possibly my all time favorite combo! Pinned 🙂
Ang @ Nutty for Life says
The mall that my dad is currently painting is actually getting one of those stores! I’m beyond excited. It’s kind of far away from me all things considered, but I can guarantee I’ll make a trip out there every once and a while. I have to admit grapes aren’t my favorite fruit ever but I know they pair so well with walnuts! (and cheese obviously) this might be a winner salad for me!
Marisa says
You’ll have to let me know if you check out the oil/vinegar store – totally guilty of going into those places “just to look”… haha!
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
Soo purty!! Love me some red grapes. And lezbehonest….can you EVER go wrong with goat cheese? I think not.
Marisa says
#TeamGoatCheese.
Amy @ The Little Honey Bee says
Your questions are fabulous. Team green grape (but red for frozen grapes). Team “whatever balsamic is cheap” but eventually hope to be rich and be on team fancy balsamic. Such pretty pictures (as per usual) xo
Brittany @ DulceVie says
I don’t think I have ever seen a more refreshing looking salad before!!
Cassie says
I never buy grapes, I seriously need to… I mean… I love them in wine, right? And I love goat cheese. And walnuts. I’m team fancy balsamic for sure!
Marisa says
Yes, wine is a delicious version of grapes. I just picked some more (raw grapes.. haha) up at the store for snackage!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
these is one great combination!