Peach & Basil Salad

It's peak peach season and everywhere I look, juicy peaches are on sale. If you're like me and have a few peaches on hand, my first thought is to use the peaches in a dessert recipe. There's the common peach cobbler, peach pie, or even peach ice cream. But if you want to use peaches in a different way, such as in a salad, this Peach & Basil Salad is it. It's a beautiful salad to present on a table and a wonderful mix of flavors. Sweet peaches, red onions, and fresh basil leaves are tossed with lemon juice salt and extra-virgin olive oil for a colorful taste of summer...

For a recent picnic we hosted, my friend Howard prepared this dish. It's one of my favorite summertime salads and I never posted it here before because it was just so easy and effortless. It's true - the simplest of recipes usually are the best and this one is no exception. If you wanted to kick it up a notch, add some fresh strawberries - it's equally delicious too! Another suggestion is to toss in chopped prosciutto for a little more savory notes. And if you don't have any peaches, nectarines work just as well.

Peach & Basil Salad
recipe from Martha Stewart

3 peaches, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1/4 red onion, very thinly sliced
1/3 cup fresh basil (leaves torn if large)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Toss peaches with red onion, basil, lemon juice, salt, and some pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.