This is a lesson on learning that you can never have enough of a good thing.
Nope. A good thing is a good thing.
No matter what shape or size or color.
Goodness is Goodness.
And when a good thing comes along in abundance, you just smile real pretty and thank the good Lord for your blessings.
Even if these blessings are in the shape of little berries. Little blueberries.
This week for Tasty Tuesday, I am sharing a recipe for:
Grilled Plum-Arugula Salad with a
Blueberry-Basil Vinaigrette.
Sounds all fancy-like, but it’s just a huge heaping plate of good ole’ freshness. And goodness. 🙂
Goodness such as succulent, sweet grilled plums.
You could use any stone fruit for this salad. Peaches and apricots would go equally as well with the other ingredients and the vinaigrette.
Peppery arugula, crisp green onions, tart feta and some sliced almonds for crunch.
And blueberries.
It just so happens that I have an abundance of blueberries right now.
I am to blueberries as Bubba Gump is to shrimp.
My whole family knows I am a blueberry fan.
And this so happens to be Blueberry pickin’ time in Eastern NC. Yep. Goodness.
So today I run to the craft store, and while I am out I stop to the market. Blueberries. Right when I walk in the front door. In all their little-round-purple-blueish glory.
Just waiting for me to scoop them up and take them home with me.
A few hours later The Hubbs came home, and he was wearing the sweetest, kindest smile on his face, and he proudly announced…
“I went by a Farm stand and they had a sign that said fresh blueberries and I stopped and got you some.”
(“some” = 4 pints) 🙂
I wiped the blueberry juice off my lips, so I could give him a big kiss.
Some women get diamonds… I get blueberries.
In the fridge they go with the other pints.
At this point, I have already decided I am going to make a Blueberry Vinaigrette. It is one of my faves, especially when you have vine-sweetened berries.
Lots of vipe-sweetened berries. 🙂
So I whipped out my newest edition of Southern Living magazine to try their version of a Blueberry Vinaigrette. It called for adding basil and that absolutely intrigued me.
Lemon juice, orange juice and olive oil and shallots. And fresh basil. How could it be bad, right?
So I whip out my handy-dandy Cuisinart and started “pulsing” my dressing into a tasty and
fresh mixture of sweet and salty flavors.
fresh mixture of sweet and salty flavors.
The Hubbs was a little skeptical. (as I’m sure most men would be) A dressing with fruit? A salad with more grilled fruit. Oh little does he know, King-of-Ranch-Dressing-Kingdom.
I put together a smaller version of the salad. He looked at it a little suspiciously, pushed some of it around on the plate with his fork…eyed it like it might attack him. And took a bite.
Now let me tell you, this retired military Colonel who stands 6’2 and used to play college football… may never tell this to anyone else… but he liked it!
In fact, he said he was very surprised that he liked it as much as he did. Even if there wasn’t a drop of Ranch dressing in sight. 🙂
I’m serving a grilled Pork Tenderloin tonight to go with our salad. I have used a dry rub that has a little “kick” to it, to balance out the sweet and salty flavors of the dressing and the salad.
Just as I was putting together my rub this afternoon, my phone rings. I glance at the
screen and its my Aunt.
screen and its my Aunt.
Me: “Hey what you up to today?”
Aunt: “Not much, I went to Wilmington to the fabric store.”
Me: “What? And you didn’t call me?”
Aunt: “It was supposed to be a quick trip there and back but I made a little pit stop.”
Me: “Oh yea, what did you do?”
Aunt: “I stopped at the blueberry farm outside of town. Did you know they are in season right now?
I know how much you love them so I got you a small crate of ’em.”
(small crate = 6 pints) 🙂
Yep. Goodness. You can’t get enough of it.
Even when your fridge can’t hold another drop
of it.
of it.
Grilled Plum-Arugula Salad with
Blueberry Basil Vinaigrette
Vinaigrette:
In a food processor, combine 1/3 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup packed fresh basil, (2) small shallots – quartered, 3 Tbs orange juice, 3 Tbs lemon juice,
zest of (1) lemon, (2) Tbs white wine vinegar and 1/2 tsp dry mustard. Process in your food processor or blender until blended. Add 1 cup fresh blueberries and pulse until you get the consistency you want. Add salt and pepper to season.
*(note, I added more olive oil as I thought the density was too thick)
Salad:
Lightly grill several stone fruits of your choice.
Layer arugula, chopped green onion and fresh cubed feta onto a plate. Layer warm grilled fruit on top. Drizzle with vinaigrette and sprinkle generously with more blueberries and sliced almonds. Enjoy! xxoo
===========================
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Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
That looks so good and you can send me some blueberries. The ones here are tart and expensive. I love grilled pork tenderloin and made it a few days ago.
View CommentNanaDiana says
Barb- That sounds really good. How great of your Aunt to think of you with blueberries in hand! I think it’s funny that Mr. Six Foot Two liked it but would never admit it! xo Diana
View CommentTammy Killough says
Oh my goodness this looks DELISH!!! I want some of your blueberries too!!! I just adore a salad this time of year when it’s hot! Thanks for sharing! ~Tammy
View CommentSuzy Handgraaf says
Yummers! This looks and sounds soooo good! You can send some of those blueberries up to Greensboro. lol
View Commentlive and luv says
Blueberries are my fave! This looks delish, can’t wait to try it.
View Commentthepaintedapron.com says
This is right up my alley, I love a salad with sweet and tangy. I use plums a lot in our summer salads but have never tried grilled ones, yum! Can’t wait to make the vinaigrette with fresh basil. Thanks so much!
View CommentJenna
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Just had blueberries for breakfast…one of my favs…love them in salads…
View CommentAt The Picket Fence says
Barbara would you believe that as I’m reading this I’m eating yogurt with blueberries!! Goodness is goodness for sure and this looks/sounds absolutely delicious! 🙂
View CommentVanessa
Melissa@TheHappierHomemaker says
This looks awesome! I have never tried grilling fruit! Thanks for linking up at the Summer Inspiration Link Party!!
View CommentAshleys Dandelion Wishes says
This dressing looks so yummy! I would love it if you would come and link this up at my link party
View CommentDandelion Wishes Wednesday. I’m also pinning this 🙂
Sherry Thecharmofhome says
Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
View CommentSherry
Gail @ http://biblelovenotes.com says
I’m completely full from supper, but your descriptions and photos make me want a dish of your salad. It sounds like nothing I’ve ever eaten…but delicious. Thanks for sharing these recipes. I definitely want to try the dressing.
View Comment