Cherry Summer Salad

Isn’t this salad cherrylicious? A beautiful combination of roasted red beets, cucumbers, scallions, cherries and fresh herbs makes this stone fruit salad so fresh and delicious that you would want to make it all Summer long. Plus, it is a great way to enjoy seasonal delicious cherries. 

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Add goat cheese crumbled over the salad, a considerably basic simple vinaigrette and you are good to go! Did you know that cherries are not only sweet and delicious, but also packed with vitamins, minerals, and rich in antioxidants with powerful health benefits? Or, as it is called the miracle energy fruit. So, ’tis the season, try to consume as much as you can in different ways. Cherry Summer Salad is a perfect salad with a light dinner such as quiche, or even great with fluffy scrambled eggs.

Cherry Summer Salad has several variations and can be made dairy-free or with a variety of ingredients to suit your needs. What says ‘jazz up that salad’ better than a Cherry Summer Salad? And, the good news is that this recipe is also gluten-free.

Cherry Summer Salad Ingredients

Cherry- Cherries are small red fruits that are seasonal. It is important to allow the cherry sufficient time for ripening before picking them as once they are picked they will not ripen. A cherry is ready to be picked when it is firm and has a deep red colour. If the cherry is light red in colour, it is most likely going to be very sour. Cherries are rich in Vitamins A and C and have antioxidant properties and as such, there is much to be gained from including them in your diet.

Beets- Beets otherwise known as beetroot are a root vegetable that is brown on the outside and deep red on the inside. They are also referred to as blood turnips due to the benefits they possess. They are said to assist in lowering blood pressure and they contain folate and Vitamin C! Be sure to grab some beets the next time you go grocery shopping.

Red Wine Vinegar- Red wine vinegar is a common ingredient used in Mediterranean dishes. It is often used in vinaigrettes and has a tangy flavour. It has been argued that red wine vinegar also has some health benefits such as aiding heart health and helping with weight loss. 

Cherry Summer Salad Variations

There are a number of variations to consider when making this amazing cherry salad. Firstly, if you do not have access to red wine vinegar or simply don’t consume alcohol, there are some alternatives you may try. These include apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar or lime/lemon juice.

In place of olive oil, you may also want to use another oil that has a milder flavour, such as coconut oil. 

There are many ingredients that can be added to a cherry salad to make it flavourful. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach or arugula may be added to this salad to create a variation. Avocados are also a good addition. To increase your fibre content, black or green cooked lentils may be incorporated into the mix. You could add some pumpkin seeds, pistachios, pecans or walnuts to your salad for that extra crunch and also additional health benefits. 

If you are a vegan or plant-based eater, or just lactose intolerant, you could use almond cheese or make your own feta cheese using tofu and herbs. 

You may also want to consider using dried cherries if you do not have fresh cherries available. Using dried cherries will also allow you to enjoy this dish when cherries are out of season.

To make your vinaigrette even tastier, you could add a handful of cherries or raspberries to it and place it in your blender or food processor. After all, the more cherries, the merrier!

What can be eaten with Cherry Summer Salad?

Cherry Summer Salad can be eaten on its own or served with chicken or turkey breast for example. 

Quinoa or spelt are some good additions to your cherry salad if you want to add more fibre to the meal and make it even more filling.

Storing Cherry Salad

In order to store Cherry Salad or Summer Cherry Salad, it will have to be placed in an airtight container for refrigeration. Because it contains fruits and other produce, it is best to prepare just enough to be used all at once; but, if you have leftovers, try to use it up within three days, to preserve the freshness.

Tips for making Cherry Summer Salad

For the Salad

1. Use feta cheese instead of goat cheese. You may also opt to use a baked Halloumi cheese which will be a nice option. If you are not a fan of cheese, avocados are a good substitute.
2. Roast red beets covered on aluminum foil at 400 degrees for about an hour, until soft and fork goes through. Let it cool completely. Peel and save in the refrigerator to be used for different recipes for about a week.
3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil can have a very overpowering taste and so it may be best to use regular olive oil.
4. Rainier cherries are a good choice when making this recipe as they are sweeter than some other varieties.