Summer always has and always will be my favorite season. Born and raised in Northern California, not only am I acclimated to hot weather, but I absolutely adore it. I understand that I am not the norm, but this is just who I am, so you better believe that I am going to relish every last day of summer while it is still here! In honor of my love for summer, I present to you this late summer harvest salad, which is all that I want to eat right now. A gorgeous ensemble of everything that is ripe and in season at the moment – this salad needs to happen in your life before summer is over.
This salad was actually inspired by an image of a salad made by Tournant PDX taken by Eva Kosma Flores that I saw on Instagram last summer. That image burned in my memory and I could not let this season pass without bringing it to life in my kitchen.
I could go on and on about how incredible this late summer harvest salad is, but its greatness should be expected when peak of the season produce is the foundation. Peaches, tomatoes, figs, grapes, and basil are the true stars of this show. Burrata is our rich and creamy cheese of choice to marry all of these summer fruits together, but you can use any high-quality soft cheese for this recipe (you could even substitute with vegan ricotta for a dairy-free option).
The other star of the show here is the honey rosemary white balsamic reduction. I wanted the richness of balsamic vinegar without the color because I did not want to discolor all of these beautiful fruits. White balsamic vinegar is available at the grocery store, but it is just too watery. I was longing for a thick & luscious white balsamic vinegar for this salad. I ended up combining white vinegar with honey and simmering it with a bit of fresh rosemary until the whole mixture was reduced into a syrupy consistency. And let me tell you guys, this homemade white balsamic reduction is INSANE!
As my hubby and I ate this salad, we were both basically freaking out…it is SO good you guys! The ripe, sweet fruits mingling with the cool creaminess of the burrata, the acidity of the balsamic & the richness of the olive oil – this late summer harvest salad is utter perfection! I sincerely hope that you will try it before summer is over and let me know what you think of it in the comments <3
LATE SUMMER HARVEST SALAD
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
FOR THE HONEY ROSEMARY WHITE BALSAMIC REDUCTION:
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey (or substitute agave)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
FOR THE SALAD:
- 4 balls of burrata
- 2 heirloom tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 peaches, sliced
- 1/2 cup black grapes, halved
- 8 figs, quartered
- handful of basil
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- flakey salt to garnish
Instructions
FOR THE HONEY ROSEMARY WHITE BALSAMIC REDUCTION:
- Add white vinegar, honey & rosemary to a small saucepan & whisk to combine
- Cook over medium heat until the liquid comes to a simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until reduced to 1/4 up. The mixture should be thickened and coat a spoon when adequately reduced. Strain the reduction into a small dish and reserve.
FOR THE SALAD:
- Gently break open each burrata ball and arrange them on a large shallow bowl or platter.
- Artfully arrange & the sliced tomatoes followed by the peaches, figs, grapes & basil leaves.
- Drizzle the salad with olive oil & the balsamic reduction. Sprinkle with flakey salt & serve.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
P.S: here is another recipe that you must make before summer is over!
Oh my Bella! these images are so stunning my mouth is watering!!!!! And this honey rosemary vinegar reduction is just genius-I can’t wait to make it!
XO Carolyn
These images turned out beautifully! And it’s okay you like the warm weather :) LOL I forgive you.
Thank you Karlee! You crack me up! lol
beautiful summer salad, love salads that aren’t dominated by lettuce but whole food, like this, and of course that have burrata!
thank you Sabrina! This is the perfect time of year to nosh on a salad like this!
unbelievably BEAUTIFUL photos Bella!!!
you are too kind! thank you!
you SERIOUSLY need to sell these as prints ALREADY!!!
oh my goodness! That is something I have wanted to do for so long! I need to make this happen!
and can you release them as wallpaper from IG for smart phones PLEASE!!
YES!
oh and btw, my family has already made and eaten this salad you created like 4 times already!!! we can NOT get enough of it, it is pure Savant Genius for sure!!
that makes me SO happy! haha! Thank you!
…and that honey rosemary vinegar reduction is UNDESCRIBEABLE how flavorful and umami it is, and it was SUPER easy and fast to make too!!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU
IT is SO GOOD! So happy you all enjoyed it so much!
Absolutely drooling!!!!! Getting me all kinds of excited for summer!
RIGHT!?!? Summer produce is THE best!
Stunning! Can the balsamic reduction be made ahead of time? Any issues storing the dressing at room temp for short periods?
Thank you! Yes, the reduction can absolutely be made ahead of time. And storing it at room temp is best!