Avocado Caprese Pesto Salad

So far I've been lucky and I still have power during Hurricane Sandy.  It is definitely rainy and windy outside.  Also my office is closed today and tomorrow, so I haven't been to work since last Thursday!  Woohoo for a 5 day weekend!  I'm crossing my fingers so that my power stays on.  If you don't have power, maybe you can try this no cook avocado caprese salad recipe.  This avocado caprese pesto salad is fresh and flavorful.  It is a combination of some of my favorites - pesto sauce, caprese salad, and avocados.   I love how quick and easy this salad comes together too.  Feel free to make your own pesto sauce, I just made it more easy for me since my favorite store-bought pesto sauce is from Costco.   In case you didn't know, you can freeze pesto sauce.  I always portion out the large container of the pesto sauce to freeze in individual freezer bags.  Overall, this is a really healthy salad, you can even substitute the fresh mozzarella for low-fat or skim mozzarella. 

Avocado Caprese Pesto Salad

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon pesto sauce (I used Kirkland’s brand from Costco.)

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

spring salad mix (enough to serve 2)

1 tomato, sliced into wedges

1 avocado, diced

½ cup fresh mozzarella, diced (I used 2 or 3 slices.)

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together pesto with extra virgin olive oil to make a pesto dressing.

In a large bowl, combine salad mix, tomato, avocado and mozzarella. 

Drizzle in pesto dressing.

Mix together salad and pesto dressing.

Serves 2.

Peachy Salad

This is an end of summer and an end of peach season salad.  There were so many peaches at the farmers market towards the end of summer.   This is probably my last peach I can buy at the farmers market because its already apple season.  I love this salad and somehow I tend to put fruit in salads, such as my salad with blackberries recipe here.  I think goat cheese or feta cheese would have been a nice addition if I had it.  I'm still enjoying the balsamic vinegar and olive oil gifts from my wonderful friends.  Enjoy this peachy salad and I'm looking forward to apple recipes soon!

Peachy Salad

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 peach, diced

1 bag salad mix (I used about ½ bag of spring mix.)

1 tablespoon sliced almonds, toasted

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (I used LeRoux pomegranate balsamic vinegar.)

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (I used Regusci California extra virgin olive oil.)

salt and pepper

Directions

In a bowl, add salad mix.

Top with peaches and almonds.

Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Season with salt and pepper.