It’s sweet. It’s tangy. It’s just a little peppery. This Peach, Raspberry and Watercress Salad comes together in less than twenty minutes (unless you’re slicing your peaches aesthetically for Instagram).
If you’ve never tossed juicy peaches and raspberries with peppery watercress, today is the day your summer salad game levels up. This Peach, Raspberry, and Watercress Salad might sound like something you’d toss together from whatever’s in the fridge, but this trio is more of a match made in heaven than you’d expect.
Inspired by an Ottolenghi recipe (his recipes are always a hit, see here and here), this delightfully summery salad has all the elements of a perfect dish: it’s citrusy, sweet, salty, it contains different textures, and it’s so vibrant and colorful!
Peach, Raspberry, and Watercress Salad
I love adding fruits to salads and my initial idea was to make something resembling this strawberry halloumi salad. It’s one of my favorites and the truth is I just like adding halloumi to everything.
But one thing leads to another and suddenly instead of halloumi, I have mozzarella balls, instead of strawberries, I find myself picking up raspberries, and look at that, I had no idea I still had radishes and cucumbers in the fridge. This salad is nothing like the strawberry halloumi vision I started with, but that’s the beauty of cooking.
The one ingredient in common here is the watercress. I personally believe watercress doesn’t get enough love. May this simple dish be a reminder of how wonderful watercress is, how it’s the perfect addition to any salad, with its buttery and soft texture and its light peppery taste. Just give watercress a chance.
Why This Combo Works
Let’s quickly break down the science and flavor logic behind this surprisingly perfect trio:
Peaches
- High in natural sugars and fiber, peaches add a seasonal juicy sweetness to every bite.
- Scientifically speaking, they contain compounds like linalool, which gives them their floral aroma – perfectly complementary to the peppery notes of watercress.
Raspberries
- Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, raspberries bring a tart contrast to the sweetness of the peaches.
- Fun fact: Raspberries contain ellagic acid, which has been shown to reduce oxidative stress. Translation: they’re good for you and taste like precious tiny jewels.
Watercress
- Often overlooked, watercress is one of the most nutrient-dense greens around. It’s rich in glucosinolates, which give it that sharp, peppery bite (think arugula, but fancier and a buttery texture).
- The bitterness of watercress balances the sugar in the fruits and adds a nice crunch.
Together, this trio hits every taste bud: sweet, tart, bitter, and slightly spicy.
When to Serve It
Well, you can obviously serve this little number whenever, however, wherever you like, but this salad would look gorgeous under a shady tree and over a picnic table. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, salmon, prosciutto, or even a simple baguette or crusty bread and a glass of chilled rosé. – and obviously great on its own!
I like to think of this salad as very unfussy, so it all comes together in one bowl – no need to make the dressing in a separate container. I start by making the vinaigrette then I just add the remaining ingredients, toss everything together and it’s ready to serve. Easy and unfussy like a perfect summer day.
Tips & Variations
No watercress? Arugula is a fine understudy.
Add grilled shrimp, chicken breast, or prosciutto ribbons to make it more of a main dish.
Serve it with a chilled glass of my homemade elderflower spritz or alongside this ricotta & olive dip for the perfect picnic moment.
If you make this peach, raspberry and watercress salad please be sure to leave a comment and tag me on Instagram! I’d love to hear from you and I love responding to every comment.
Ingredients
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp hot honey
4 tbsp olive oil
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 shallot
3 peaches, halved and pits removed
3 radishes
2 Persian cucumbers
1 cup mozzarella balls
2 cups watercress
salt and black pepper
Directions
Make the vinaigrette: in a large bowl, mix together the vinegar, hot honey, olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Add the raspberries, and using a fork, lightly crush them. Mix to combine and set aside.
Prepare the ingredients: thinly slice the shallot and radishes. Cut the peaches into wedges. Peel (optional) and cut the cucumbers into half moons.
Add shallot, radishes, peaches, cucumber, and mozzarella balls to the bowl.
Mix well, taste and adjust seasoning. Serve!
@heythereannao 🍑peach and raspberry salad🍑 #saladrecipe #summerrecipe
♬ New World - Leroy
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