Grilled Peach, Onion and Bacon Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
PUBLISHED ON: 06.22.2012
Discovering and enjoying seasonal food is a journey that is bound to take you someplace new. You learn that “Taste” really does matter.
Summer peaches are in season. They are plentiful, ripe and fabulously juicy. A quick stop in South Carolina and my trunk was loaded with baskets of these fresh from the tree beauties. Since I live just a few miles from the “Peach State” border of Georgia, looks like I may have another trunk full soon.
So what do you do with a bucket load of peaches…You start with discovering a new recipe.
Grilled Peach, Onion and Bacon Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
Serves 8
Recipe from Food and Wine
Ingredients:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons chopped mint
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped chives
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound thick-sliced bacon
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 pounds Vidalia or other sweet onions, cut into 1-inch thick slabs
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
4 large ripe peaches, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the sour cream, buttermilk, mint, parsley, chives and vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate.
2. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the bacon slices on the sheet in a single layer and sprinkle with the brown sugar and cayenne. Bake for about 25 minutes, until caramelized (the bacon will crisp as it cools). Let cool, then cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
3. Meanwhile, light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Brush the onions with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until softened and browned, 10 minutes. Separate the onions into rings. Brush the peaches with olive oil and grill over moderately high-heat until tender, 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
4. In a large bowl, toss the onions with the peaches and bacon. Add the buttermilk dressing and toss to coat. Serve right away.
Enjoy!
The JR
Wow, good thinking about grilling them and using them in a salad.
Diane
Goodness but that sounds so yummy. Diane
Rosaria Williams
Now, that sounds most refreshing!
From the Kitchen
One of the biggest things I've missed not living in Charleston any more are the wonderful S.C. peaches. Here we get Michigan peaches which are good but not the sun-drenched goodness of southern peaches. I'll be trying some of them in your salad recipe because it sounds delicious.Best,Bonnie
Anonymous
sounds so delicious! i love grilled peaches — how interesting as a savory dish! yum!
That Girl
There is very little better than fresh South Carolina peaches! I can smell them now, just thinking about it.
Lea Ann (Cooking on the Ranch)
I saw this recipe in Food and Wine and knew I had to make it very soon! Even went to the market yesterday to try to find peaches. All we have are white peaches, nothing fresh yet from Colorado.
Mary Lee
Georgia peaches are so wonderful, but for some reason our supermarkets never seem to carry those. NC and SC have good peaches, too. It's so irritating to find California peaches when I know all that lusciousness is practically out their back door!
Big Dude
A few years ago, I would not have given this dish a second look but since discovering that fruit, onions and salad dressing actually go together (thanks to Sam Hoffer) I'm sure I'd really like it (especially with the buttermilk dressing) and Bev really loves this kind of dish.
Rambling Tart
Oh my lands – this sounds absolutely amazing, Velva!! I adore grilled peaches and adding bacon is just brilliant. 🙂
Jackie @Syrup and Biscuits
I love peach season! We eat as many as we can and then I start looking for ways to use them in recipes. Grilled peaches in a salad is a grand idea.
Kim
Peaches are hand down my favorite fruit. Love them! This looks gorgeous. P.S. Hope your son is doing well!
Anonymous
MMMM,..velva! I love grilled fruits a lot & this is one tasty & fabulous warm salad!MMMMM! Very creative too!
Heather S-G
Oh, yum! That is definitely a salad that I want to try. Just hearing the combo of grilled peach, onion, and bacon sets my mouth to watering. Bookmarked!
The Glamorous Gourmet
Great minds think alike, Velva! Love your photo and post – I am now addicted to the bacon with the brown sugar and cayenne:) Happy Summer to you!!!
Susan
What an interesting flavor combination! I just had grilled peaches for the first time at a French restaurant in Portland – I was surprised how much I liked them.
Erica
I sounds delicious,Velva! I love grilled peaches and all the ingredients you added to the salad!
Jane
This sounds sooo good, I think I love everything in it! I can't wait until we start to get peaches over here … in about 2 months I think the Palisade CO peaches will start to ripen, they are always sooo good!
Mimi
This sounds fabulous! I picked my first ripe peach yesterday.Mimi
Kitchen Belleicious
onions and peaches together? Wow, what a wonderful and creative combination! I would love to try this!
Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen
What a fabulous and creative way to use the wonderful juicy peaches that are at our market at this very minute.Sam
Chris
OMG, just the title alone makes me want to drool! That would be absolutely fabulous in many ways. Also as a dipping sauce for grilled peach glazed hot wings. You have some ideas in my head.
Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina
You had me at \”peaches\” and \”buttermilk\”, Velva. What a great way to enjoy this delicious Southern fruit when they are so fresh and juicy!
Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina
I pinned this on Pinterest on my board \”Gotta Luv Peaches\” and I hope that was OK! It's a summer keeper! Be well and keep on being peachy sweet!
chow and chatter
your so right about eating in season great salad 🙂
Rosa's Yummy Yums
What a droolworthy salad! Really appetizing and surely really tasty!Cheers,Rosa
Katerina
How unusual this salad is with all these different ingredients combined in it! I would love to try it and see how everything comes together!
Sues
Yay for summer peaches! And an even bigger yay to putting them in a savory salad!!Sues
ritacooksitalian.com
What beautiful peaches!Here in London peaches are not so great. Yours remind me home (Italy). I never tried to use peaches to prepare a savory dish; it sounds exciting.
Cucina49
Velva! That is an amazing-looking salad–and those peaches are just so vividly colored. I believe I now have peach envy.
Nutmeg Nanny
What a delicious and summery dish!
A Canadian Foodie
I am completely in here – peaches haven't arrived yet – end of July from BC – but you have got my attention, Velva! XOValerie
Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina
Now that I'm loving fruit in my salads (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and more), it's time to add fresh peaches to my new flavor preference! Pinned this on Pinterest under 'gotta luv peaches'. Thanks Velva!