The highlight of my summer is the Peach Truck peaches.  If you’ve never had them, you should leave whatever you’re doing right now, find a truck, and GO BUY A BAG – or 3.  The peaches are juicy, perfect, sweet, luscious…  I could go on and on with the adjectives.  Just trust me – they are one of summer’s special healthy treats.

I was inspired by a post off of one of my favorite blogs – Love and Lemons, and decided to make my own twist on a summer peach salad.  So, I did!  And it rocked!!  In fact, I have leftovers for lunch today, and lunch can’t get here fast enough.

As for the dressing – I of course didn’t measure anything, so taste it before you serve and add or take away whatever you need.  I didn’t measure anything in the salad either – haha!  So, add or take away at your own pleasure.  The main thing is to get fresh ingredients!

You can’t go wrong with this salad – it’s a crowd pleasure for sure!!  Happy summer y’all!

SALAD INGREDIENTS:

• 2 peaches – grilled
• 3-4 handfuls of spinach
• 1/8 cup of basil chopped
• 1/4-1/3 cup of pistachios
• 1 avocado sliced
• 1/3 cup of chickpeas
• 1/3 cup of cooked quinoa

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Cook your quinoa according to directions.  I made 1 cup (uncooked) and had a lot leftover.
2. Heat a grill pan or fire up your grill.  I just use a cast iron grill pan inside for quick and easy grilling with not much cleanup!  I head it on medium heat and spray with coconut oil spray.
3. While the grill is heating, slice your peaches and place face down on the grill.  Rotate them 5 minutes in to get some hot grill marks!  🙂
4. Cut your avocado and basil and assemble all of the elements on the salad together!  Drizzle with homemade dressing below and enjoy!

DRESSING INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1-2 tbs of Trader Joe’s Orange Muscat Vinegar
• 1-2 tbs of honey
• pepper
• 1 garlic clove minced
• a dash of red pepper flakes

DIRECTIONS

Mince your garlic and mix all ingredients together!  Taste and add more or less of whatever you desire!