Ah Summer…today we are talking about fresh a peach salad with basil, cool shrimp with spicy cocktail sauce and colorful clothes for the hot weather. Summer doesn’t get any better as our daughter and granddaughter are visiting!
It’s Five Fave time with Annie and Cindy!
1. Fresh Peach Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes And Basil
Last week in Los Angeles, our daughter made this fresh summer salad. It’s a take on a Caprese salad but with yellow heirloom tomato, peach and mozzarella slices, basil leaves, salt and pepper and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and white balsamic vinegar.
2. Grilled Peaches With Prosciutto And Goat Cheese
Here is a tasty salad for lunch as a main course or as a first course for dinner. I first published this when we were living in a San Francisco high-rise apartment and I used a grill pan.
But now we have an outdoor grill and I made this last night. I substituted Boursin cheese instead of the goat cheese.
Grilled Peaches With Goat Cheese Thyme and Prosciutto
Ingredients
- 2 peaches, halved
- 4 tbsp soft goat cheese
- 4 tsp fresh thyme leaves plus more sprigs for garnish
- 4 slices prosciutto
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey for drizzling
- 4 cups salad greens, as desired I used arugula and endive. Also, an avocado since we had one.
- 4 tbsp toasted pine nuts Trader Joes has them already toasted
- 1/2 lemon for spritzing at the end
Instructions
- Cut peaches in half along seam side. Take the pits out and take a melon baller or small spoon and remove a small amount of the meat.
- Take about one tablespoon of the goat cheese and roll it in the thyme leaves and place in the center of the peach.
- Wrap each half in prosciutto and rub all over with olive oil.
- On a medium-high grill, grill each side, starting with the bottom for about 2 minutes each until the prosciutto gets firm and you see grill marks.
- Place grilled peaches on top of salad greens and drizzle with olive oil, honey, pine nuts and a spritz of lemon. Garnish with a thyme sprig.
You may also like Dinner Party Ideas With Peaches and Apricots
3. Freezer Tip For The Nut Lover
I love walnuts, almonds or pine nuts in salads like above or for baking. Did you know you can freeze nuts in a zip lock bag to keep them fresh?
“How long nuts last in the freezer: Whole raw nuts can be stored in the freezer for up to one year. Chopped nuts, ground nuts, or nut flours — all of which contain more surface area for oxidation — are quicker to spoil and should only be stored for up to six months.” Source: Food and Wine
4. What The Girls Are Wearing In Florida
This is a fun light cotton, affordable Zara Peachy Hot Pink Dress (size medium). I love these types of loose dresses (Louisa had a big smile for me when she saw me in it and said “PINK!”). It’s good for lazy days or even evenings at home.
Louisa is wearing a floral bathing suit (50% off) that I found at the Gap with a cute crocheted hat (59% off) that her mom purchased at Old Navy.
5. Luca’s Favorite Shrimp With Spicy Cocktail Sauce
Our son-in-law Luca loves fresh shrimp cocktail so Howard makes it frequently for him. When we were in still living in San Francisco, before Alexandra and Luca were married, Luca was admiring the Waterford bowls that Howard served the individual portions in and asked about them.
I said “Well Luca, they were a wedding present so you have to get MARRIED to get them!” Then, fearing I had overstepped, I jumped up and went into the kitchen where I said nervously to our son, “That was a bit too strong, wasn’t it?” Tommy said, “No Mom, I think it was just right.”
That’s weird I thought (as someone who gets chastised from speaking her mind too much).
Turns out Luca had asked Howard for Alexandra’s hand in marriage earlier that day and also told Tommy about it. Alexandra and I were the only ones in the dark 🙂
So, as an engagement present, I sent them a set of the discontinued crystal bowls found on Ebay.
Spicy Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish, more for extra spicy
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Mix and chill until ready to serve. It lasts covered in the refrigerator for about a week
The crystal bowl incident ended well…you may also like Alexandra and Luca’s Wedding In Madrid, Spain.
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Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Great story re the Waterford bowls. Getting them own set was a slam dunk! Quick question:
LOVE your pink dress and want to order. I would get a small and wonder why you got Medium. I don’t want to have to return. I’m 5’4.5 132 lbs. Thx for your help.
Hi Polly, Zara can run small and I didn’t want it to be too tight in the chest!
Mary Ann! Louisa is so adorable! I loved your reel today!! How wonderful that they are visiting again!! Your salad is beautiful!
Xx
Love your post today, but then I love all your posts! Louisa is adorable and I’m sure loved going to the beach with Grandma in her pretty “PINK” dress. I adore peaches and that salad was mouth watering beautiful. If only I could find good peaches. The story about Luca was great, thank you for sharing something you’ll always remember. The shrimp cocktail looks delicious.
Wishing you and your family a terrific summer.
https://outwestlifestyle.com/2022/08/19/grilled-shrimp-nectarine-salad/
Here is the recipe Mary Ann so delicious!!
Hi Mary Ann,
You both look so cute and comfy walking the beach hand in hand. I walked the beach this morning, but no little one to share it with!
That’s a fun story about the shrimp bowls, I tend to put my foot in mouth so I can relate to how you must have felt afterward! It all worked out really well didn’t it?!
I make that caprese salad, or some version of it, for dinner pretty regularly. I rotate strawberries, peaches, watermelon, cherries, plums in addition to the tomatoes, whatever is good and fresh. One of my favorite and easiest dinners, so tasty!
Enjoy your week with your special visitors.
Xo Heidi
What a cool story about the shrimp cocktail dishes! Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
That’s funny, Elle! It’s nice though when we use the bowls and their house!
Hi Mary Ann,
The Peach salad that you made looks and sounds delish. Alexandra must be a great cook and baker. I wonder where she inherited that talent from.
The story you told about the Waterford bowls brought smiles. Luca probably just took a deep breath and chilled at that moment.
Seeing you with Louisa is touching, sweet moments discovering things on the sand. You both look adorable, her swim suit and hat are so cute.
Thank you, we just went to the beach again this morning.
Lovely post Mary Ann and the pictures of you and Louisa are so gorgeous!! I made a nectarine and shrimp and basil salad yesterday with avocado oil dressing so we seem to be on the same page! Happy summer!
I would love that recioe, Francesca….and I will give you credit 🙂
MA! Love that story so much … fun family lore. Shrimp cocktail is one of my favorites too. I might have to get a set of this gorgeous crystal because presentation makes a shrimp cocktail even more delicious. Enjoyed the peachy tone of today’s roundup. You and Louise both look amazing in your pretty summer style. xo
Thanks Juliet for recognizing the peachiness!
What’s the cracker trick? I read the post again and saw no mention of a cracker trick!
Cindy referenced an earlier post where Mary Anne mentions freezing crackers and nuts for an impromptu cheese board. No nut crackers involved;)
I love to see your posts and enjoy the travel adventures since I really don”t travel much. My favorite is your fashion because you are about my size and age. One of the great things about aging is the ability to tell
it like it is!!
So true, Jill!
Hi Mary Ann,
This is my first time commenting here. Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your posts …recipes, decorating, and fashion, of course. I just happened to order that pink dress yesterday! Also, ordered one from Zara that you posted a while back (cream with beachy pics on it). Perfect for beach getaways.
Vivian
Thanks, Vivian…you will love the dress!
How many shrimp makes up a shrimp cocktail?
What kind of meal do you serve following shrimp cocktail?
Just the shrimp with a salad would be a meal to us empty nedters.
How old is the baby?
Look forward to your post!
I gave 2 of those grapefruit bowls to my in-laws in the late eighties. I finally decided to get some for myself and children. I’ve used them for cut fruit, blondies a la mode, banana pudding and individual trifles. Now I’ll have another use for them. The things I learn from your blog
I really enjoy your blog!
The pink dress you are wearing is so cute, however I am quite tall (5’10”) and I’m wondering about the length and size. It looks very roomy on you and I’m thinking maybe a small would fit you also? I usually a size 8 in dresses. Any info would help as I hate returning.
Thank you in advance.
A small would have been too tight in the chest for me. But it may work for you but then it would also be shorter.
Hi Mary Ann
Love seeing you with darling Louisa. I bet you all are getting great Georgia peaches in Florida right now. I love a great peach salad. I always freeze my nuts by the way. That way I always have fresh nuts when needed. Your cracker trick is even better!!
I didn’t know you could freeze nuts to keep them fresh and now, I’m curious about the cracker trick, Cindy.
Cindy saw that I put crackers in the freezer when she was here. To keep them fresh 😊
I’ll have to try that trick. After hosting there are always crackers left which I try not to eat. Freezing them for another time saves me from myself. lol
I love all your dresses. They look so comfy and breezy. I must wear mine more often.
Many years ago I saw o TV the host mention putting crackers in the fridge, stops them going stale and I’ve been doing it ever since. Putting them in the freezer is interesting, I’ll try that.
They last much longer but not forever!