August is so full of amazing summer produce! We are so lucky to live where we can get so many things grown locally. As summer is coming to an end, make sure to get the delicious fruits and veggies while they last. The oddly warm spring and cooler than usual summer caused most fruit harvests to be early this year, so make sure to get it before it's too late! Some of our favorites this month are all the stone fruits, dry-farmed watermelon, strawberries, grapes, tomatoes, and peppers. All the fruits make great snacks for kids as they head back to school.
Although I love tomatoes, my husband is still unconvinced that they are amazing on their own. I love bruschetta and jumped at the chance to try out this strawberry basil chicken recipe by Wholesomelicious because it’s a version that subs tomatoes with strawberries. We got the most amazing strawberries from the farmer’s market and used our own chicken breasts. I served it to our kids with noodles, and we enjoyed it with a nice salad. Pairing strawberries with chicken was a little strange, but this turned-out worked well and was a hit with the family!
The peach avocado salad is delicious as a side to any summer meal. It’s also great on its own with some chicken or tri-tip on top for a protein-packed lunch. Peaches are one of the fruits you must enjoy quickly because they come and go fast! It is always a treat to add fresh fruit to salads, so if you miss peach season, sub your favorite in-season fruit with this recipe, and it’s just as delicious. I love a good blue cheese, but feta or parmesan is a good substitute if you’re not a big fan.
Make sure to check out your local market and learn more about our local farmers. All the farmers and ranchers work so hard to bring our community the best possible food. Knowing that our hard work is important for you and your family is what keeps us going!
What’s in Season:
Fruits:
Apricots
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Grapes
Honeydew
Nectarines
Peaches
Plums
Pluots
Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon
Vegetables
Bell Peppers
Chili Peppers
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Garlic
Green Beans
Onions
Summer Squash
Sweet Corn
Tomatoes
Zucchini
Peach and Avocado Salad
Ingredients
Green Salad
½ small red onion, very thinly sliced (about ½ cup)
10 to 12 ounces baby arugula
2 medium ripe peaches or nectarines, pitted and thinly sliced, peels on or off
2 medium ripe avocados, diced
⅔ cup roasted sliced almonds
3 ½ ounces cup crumbled mild blue cheese, or preferred cheese
Lemon Dressing
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 to 2 lemons)
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Make the salad: Place the red onion in a small bowl and cover with water. Let it rest while you prepare the rest of the salad. (This will keep the flavor of the onion but remove some of the harsh after-bite.) Place the arugula in a large serving bowl.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl or large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the dressing ingredients (the oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper).
Drizzle half of the dressing over the greens, then toss to coat. Drain the red onion, then scatter it over the arugula. Top with the peaches, avocados, almonds and cheese. Just before serving, drizzle on a bit more dressing and give it a final, gentle toss to combine. Enjoy, with additional dressing as desired.
Strawberry Basil Chicken
Ingredients
3-4 large chicken breasts
1-2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar + more to taste
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups chopped fresh strawberries
1 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
Begin by heating a large skillet to medium heat.
Prepare your chicken breasts: you may need to pound the breast to make them a bit thinner, mine were approximately 1 inch. While the skillet is heating up, marinate the chicken with garlic and balsamic vinegar.
Add oil to the pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side (until golden brown but cooked through). Set aside.
Meanwhile, prepare the topping. Toss together strawberries and basil. Top each chicken breast with strawberry mixture, and salt and pepper to taste. Add additional balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze if desired. Serve immediately.
