Description
Caramelized Apricot and Cherry Tomato Salad with Brocciu celebrates Mediterranean flavors with sweet and tangy notes. Corsican cheese and caramelized fruits create a refreshing summer dish that delights your palate with unexpected combinations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 apricots
- 20–24 colorful cherry tomatoes
- 50 grams (1.76 ounces) brocciu cheese
- 2 red spring onions
Nuts and Seasonings:
- 30 grams (1.06 ounces) pine nuts
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt
- Pepper
Dressing and Garnish:
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Prepare the apricots by carefully halving them, removing the pits, and cutting each half into 3-4 precise wedges, adjusting the size based on the fruit’s dimensions.
- Warm a skillet over intense high heat, coating the surface with a delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
- Introduce the apricot segments into the hot pan, complementing them with golden honey and a subtle sprinkle of sea salt; gently sauté for approximately 2 minutes until they develop a slightly firm texture while maintaining their structural integrity.
- Transfer the caramelized apricots and their released aromatic juices onto a clean serving plate, preserving their delicate caramelization.
- Using the same skillet (wiping with a paper towel if needed), quickly toast pine nuts over high heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until they achieve a rich golden-brown coloration.
- Slice cherry tomatoes precisely in half, creating uniform pieces that will enhance the salad’s visual appeal.
- Thinly slice spring onions into delicate rings, ensuring consistent and elegant cuts.
- Craft a vibrant dressing by whisking extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar until they emulsify into a harmonious blend.
- Artfully arrange the caramelized apricots, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced spring onions, crumbled brocciu cheese, and toasted pine nuts on a serving platter.
- Season the composed salad with freshly ground sea salt and black pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing generously over the salad, ensuring even distribution.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped, to add a final aromatic flourish to the dish.
Notes
- Caramelize apricots quickly over high heat to enhance their natural sweetness and create a golden exterior without making them mushy.
- Toast pine nuts carefully to release their rich, nutty flavor and prevent burning, which can make them taste bitter.
- Use fresh, ripe cherry tomatoes for a burst of juicy sweetness that complements the caramelized apricots.
- Crumble brocciu cheese generously to add a creamy, tangy element that balances the fruit’s sweetness and provides protein.
- Create a simple balsamic dressing to tie together the different textures and flavors of the salad ingredients.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg