CA GROWN Blog
Discover. Learn. Connect.
A Simple Salad With Fruit, Walnuts, And Black Pepper Vinaigrette
Meet Them Here
Read Bios »A Simple Salad With Fruit, Walnuts, And Black Pepper Vinaigrette
Looking for a fresh salad idea? Add fruit, like in this Plum Salad with Walnuts and Romano Cheese. Tossed with a Black Pepper Plum Jam Vinaigrette, this salad delivers a tasty mix of sweet plums, crunchy walnuts, and savory cheese. Let’s dive into this easy, flavorful salad with fruit recipe.
Salad With Fruit: An Unexpected Delight for Your Tastebuds.
This recipe is on repeat in our kitchens at the moment. It pairs the California plums’ sweet and tart flavor with the hearty crunch of toasted walnuts and the distinct taste of Romano cheese. The vinaigrette ties everything together, creating a balanced, flavorful salad you can really sink your teeth into.
This isn’t your everyday, run of the mill fruit salad. It’s a fresh and exciting option that is a welcome addition to any meal.
Why Make a Fruit-Forward Salad? The Underrated Art of Salad-Making
Subbing in fruit, like plums, in place of a mess of greens in your salad isn’t just about creating a unique flavor profile. It’s a simple way to boost your meal’s nutritional value. Plums are packed with vitamins and fiber, offering a sweet taste that beautifully balances the savory elements of this salad. Tossing in Romano cheese and walnuts turns this salad from a fruity side dish to a more nutrient-rich, satisfying main course.
The Crunch Factor: Why Walnuts Make the Perfect Addition to Any Salad
In a fruit-filled salad like this one, the toasted walnuts are a key ingredient. They add a satisfying crunch that pairs well with soft fruit. Plus, they’re a nutritional powerhouse, offering healthy fats, protein, and fiber. The result? A flavorful salad that keeps you full and satisfied.
Creating the Perfect Companion: Black Pepper Plum Jam Vinaigrette.
A vinaigrette like this one can take a salad from good to great! It enhances the salad’s flavors, tying together the sweet fruit and savory cheese with a tangy punch. Plus, making vinaigrette at home allows you to control the ingredients and flavor. You avoid preservatives and get the satisfaction of making a fresh, flavorful homemade addition to your salad.
While most of the ingredients in this vinagrette recipe are already hanging out in your pantry, you may need to make, or acquire, plum jam.
A Sensational Recipe with Plum; Small Batch Vanilla Plum Jam
This small batch Vanilla Plum Jam is truly a dreamy recipe that you will find yourself making again and again. This recipe with plum marries the sweetness of California plums, lemon juice, vanilla, and some sugar, creating a spectacular spread.
Step by Step: Crafting Your Salad with Fruit, Walnuts, and Black Pepper Vinaigrette
Making your Plum Salad with Walnuts, Romano Cheese, and Black Pepper Plum Jam Vinaigrette is a straightforward process.
Start by combining the red wine vinegar, plum jam, and cracked black pepper in a bowl until well mixed. Add the prepared plums, stirring until they’re coated with the dressing. Then, transfer to a platter and top with shaved Romano and toasted walnuts. Finish with a hearty sprinkle of flaky sea salt and extra pepper. Just be sure to use ripe plums for the perfect balance of sweetness, and don’t be afraid to be generous with the cheese!
More Delicious Fruit-Forward Salads to Try Next.
If you are anything like us you love a good fruit salad recipe! We happen to have quite a few favorites that we think should be on your to-make list next.
A Fruit Salad Recipe Revamp; Easy Ambrosia Salad
Fruit salad isn’t just for kids. It can be a delicious treat for adults, too, when served as an appetizer or for dessert. We gave this classic fruit salad a modern twist with layered seasonal fruit and a tangy sweet dressing. This is a recipe that will have you returning again and again.
Citrus and Olive Salad
This refreshing winter citrus salad from A Delicious Life is made with briny olives, thinly sliced fennel, and a light champagne vinaigrette. This colorful, sweet, savory salad is absolutely delicious and the perfect appetizer or side to impress your dinner party guests.
Salad with Citrus and Toasted Walnut Vinaigrette
Every single bite of this salad is loaded with flavor and lots of texture too! With three types of broiled and fresh citrus, a luscious turmeric yogurt base, and crispy shallots, this salad is as colorful as it is flavorful.
Cherry Tabbouleh
This Cherry Basil Tabbouleh from This Mess is Ours is packed with unexpected ingredients with superfood status, like quinoa, basil, and dark sweet cherries.
Grilled Peach Panzanella Salad
A super simple twist on classic Italian bread salad, this grilled peach Panzanella salad from Salt & Wind is made with grilled stone fruit, garlicky crusty crostini bread, and tons of basil.
BE SURE TO SHARE YOUR FAVORITE PLUM RECIPES WITH US BY SNAPPING A PIC AND TAGGING US ON SOCIAL USING #CAGROWN.
Craving more CA Grown goodness? Follow us on Pinterest for fresh and fabulous recipe inspiration!
Plum Salad with Walnuts, Romano Cheese, and Black Pepper Plum Jam Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon plum jam click here for our Easy Plum Jam recipe or use store bought.
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper more to taste
- 6 ripe red, black, and/or green California plums pits removed, sliced
- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup shaved Romano cheese
- Flaky sea salt and more cracked black pepper for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the vinegar, plum jam, and 1/2 teaspoon of cracked black pepper. Whisk to combine until the jam is incorporated into the vinegar.
- Add the sliced plums to the bowl. Toss gently to coat.
- Transfer the dressed plums to a serving platter. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle the Romano and walnuts over the top. Season with flaky sea salt and cracked black pepper. Serve immediatley.