Let’s make a fresh, tasty and colorful salad with cream feta, sweet cherry, and balsamic cream. This is an interesting and super yummy dish with the taste of summer. It is my healthy weekday lunch that I want to share with you. Well, let’s follow the Salad with Cherries and Feta Cheese recipe to make this perfect dish. I hope you will love to make it every time you want something delicious and fresh.
Delicious Cherry and Feta Salad
A Cherry and Feta Salad is a delightful combination of sweet, tart cherries and creamy, salty feta cheese. It’s often accompanied by fresh greens and a tangy vinaigrette. This is a refreshing and satisfying salad that balances flavors and textures. This salad is very much a tribute to the ingredients that have been associated with Persian cuisine. It is also a tribute to the summer season with its refreshing feel and the ingredients that are in season.
Origin of the Dish
The concept of combining fruit with savory ingredients in a salad has ancient roots and is often found in the cuisines of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. The natural sweetness of fruits like cherries pairs beautifully with feta cheese, a staple in Greek cuisine. The salad showcases the harmony of these ingredients and celebrates the tradition of combining fresh, seasonal produce with rich, tangy cheese.
Cherry and Feta Salad Ingredients
- Sweet Cherries: This juicy, sweet fruit adds a touch of natural sweetness and a delightful texture to the salad, creating a refreshing contrast to the savory elements.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes add color, juiciness, and a fresh flavor that complements the cherries with their sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
- Avocado: Creamy and rich, avocado balances the acidity and sweetness of the other ingredients and provides a smooth texture and healthy fats.
- Blue Onion: Also known as red onion, blue onion brings a sharp, pungent flavor and a crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the softer components of the salad.
- Feta cheese: This crumbly, salty cheese adds a tangy flavor and a creamy texture that enhances the overall flavor of the salad and provides a savory balance to the sweet cherries.
- Lime Half: Fresh lime juice adds a zesty, tangy note that brightens the flavors and helps tie all the ingredients together.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil adds a rich, smooth texture and a subtle fruity flavor that acts as a base for the dressing and enhances the overall flavor.
- Balsamic Cream: This sweet and tangy reduction of balsamic vinegar adds depth of flavor and a light sweetness that complements the cherries and tomatoes.
- Salt: A pinch of salt helps balance the sweetness of the cherries and the tang of the feta and balsamic cream by bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- Pepper: Fresh ground black pepper adds a touch of spice and subtle heat to round out the taste and finish the salad.
How to Make Cherry and Feta Salad
- First, remove the cherry pit.
- Then, halve the tomatoes.
- Cut the onion into strips
- Peel the avocado with a spoon and cut it into triangles or small pieces.
- Then, dice the feta.
- Mix vegetables and cherries in a bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Then, add fresh lime and olive oil
- Transfer to a plate, sprinkle with feta, and drizzle with balsamic cream.
Chef Recipe Tips:
- You can replace feta cheese with goat cheese if desired.
- It is recommended to use sweet cherries.
Making the Salad Ahead of Time
Preparing a dish in advance is a great way to save time before guests arrive. The Feta and Cherry Salad can also be prepared ahead of time. You can make it up to several hours before you would like to serve it. Just layer all of the ingredients together, but DON’T add the dressing. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, then drizzle with the dressing just before serving. This will keep all the ingredients fresh and flavorful and save you time.
How to Store Cherry and Feta Salad
To keep the salad fresh and prevent it from getting soggy, store the mixed greens, cherries, feta cheese, and any optional ingredients (such as nuts and red onion) separately from each other. Place salad greens in airtight containers with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Use separate airtight containers for the cherries and crumbled feta. Store all ingredients in the refrigerator. Salad ingredients should stay fresh for up to 2-3 days when properly stored.
Store vinaigrette separately: If you’ve already made the vinaigrette, store it in the refrigerator in a small, tightly sealed jar or container. Before using, shake well.
What to Serve with Cherry and Feta Salad?
This wonderfully fresh salad can be a perfect stand-alone lunch dish. But you can also use it as a side dish for your meal. I have collected the best combinations for this feta and cherry salad. Choose the one you like best and cook it.
- Grilled Chicken: The sweetness of the cherries and the saltiness of the feta cheese complement the smoky flavor of the grilled chicken.
- Grilled Salmon: The tangy and sweet notes of the salad pair beautifully with the richness of the salmon.
- Pork Filet: Pork’s flavorful tenderness provides a hearty contrast to this light and refreshing salad.
- Crusty Bread: Use a warm, crisp bread or baguette to scoop up the salad. It also adds a delicious crunch to the salad.
- Quinoa: For a nutritious and satisfying meal, serve the salad over a bed of quinoa.
- Prosciutto: The sweet and savory elements of the salad are enhanced by the salty, savory flavor of prosciutto.
- Roasted vegetables: A warm, earthy flavor that pairs well with the fresh salad is added to a mix of roasted vegetables.
- Flatbread: Light toasted pita bread can be a great side dish, adding a different texture to the meal.
Remove the cherry pit.
Halve the tomatoes.
Cut the onion into strips.
Peel the avocado with a spoon and cut it into triangles or small pieces.
Dice the feta.
Mix vegetables and cherries in a bowl.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add fresh lime and olive oil.
Transfer to a plate, sprinkle with feta, and drizzle with balsamic cream.
