This summer I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy several picnics with friends, and I’ve come to realize that the best picnics involve fresh fruit, lots of cheese, and salty snacks like nuts. My love of these picnic foods inspired me to create a simple salad with grapes, gouda and pistachios, topped with a honey vinaigrette. The crisp sweet grapes, salty gouda, and crunchy pistachios complemented each other so well, and the honey vinaigrette tied everything together beautifully. What makes this even more enticing as a go-to meal is that you’ll only need about 10 minutes to whip it all together.
I’m not sure why, but grapes don’t seem to get the attention they deserve as an amazing salad topping. It seems that apples and strawberries have stolen much of the attention, and while those are both delicious in salads, it’s nice to branch out a bit. Really, the same goes for gouda and pistachios as well. If you’re tired of the usual apple + blue cheese + walnut salad, then this alternative might be the perfect change for you.
One of my favorite things about this salad is the honey vinaigrette. It’s made with honey, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper. How easy is that? The sweetness from the honey and the tanginess of the apple cider vinegar balance each other out so nicely, and while being quite flavorful, it’s still a light enough dressing to let the other ingredients really shine.
I hope you enjoy this salad as much as I do. I served it with some nice crusty bread and felt like it was the perfect meal to end a hot summer day.
- For the salad:
- 1 bag mixed greens, washed and dried
- ⅓ cup gouda (not the smoked kind), cut into small pieces
- 1 cup red seedless grapes, washed and cut in half
- ¼ cup roasted pistachio pieces, salted or unsalted depending on preference
- For the dressing:
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Gently toss all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
- Whisk all of the dressing ingredients until well blended, and add to salad.
I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of apple, blue cheese, and walnut, but that doesn’t dissuade me in the slightest from this delicious looking creation. The honey vinaigrette sounds like the perfect choice to go with it all.
Given your Dutch heritage, I think you’d like the Gouda in here!
Happy to have stumbled upon your blog! I love your take on eating real food & that delicious eats don’t have to be complicated. This salad combines some of my favorite things. And you’re right, grapes don’t get enough attention!
Thanks for such a nice comment, Amanda! I am so happy that you stumbled upon my blog and that you like my food philosophy (and my love of grapes in salads!). I love everything I’ve seen on your blog and am planning on making your cherry cheesecake bars soon!
Love grapes and cheese in a salad – and topped with a honey vinaigrette – it couldn’t be better. Can’t wait to try!
Thanks for visiting, Geraldine! I hope you enjoy the salad. The honey vinaigrette is so easy and will definitely be one of my go-to dressings now!