A savory fruit salad for summer barbecues. photo by Nancy Duran

Technically speaking, it’s a fruit salad. But practically speaking, it’s a sweet and savory accompaniment to any main course you may be grilling up this summer. Tomatoes and nectarines make beautiful music together in a dish that is truly a celebration of summer. If you’re looking for something a little more exotic than the ubiquitous Caprese salad, this is the recipe you’ve been searching for.

Makes about 1/2 cup vinaigrette / Serves 4

Basil Vinaigrette
1 small shallot, chopped
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Tomato and Nectarine Salad
5 small tomatoes,thinly sliced into rounds
3 small nectarines, sliced into wedges
A handful of mixed salad greens
A handful of yellow teardrop tomatoes

1. To make the Basil Vinaigrette: In the bowl of a small food processor, place the shallot and basil leaves. Process until chopped. Add the mustard, vinegar, and oil and process until smooth.
2. To assemble the Tomato and Nectarine Salad: On a large platter, fan out the tomato rounds. Top with the nectarine wedges and mound the salad greens on top. Scatter over the teardrop tomatoes and drizzle with about half the Basil Vinaigrette.

Nutritional analysis based on 4 servings:
Calories 230, Fat 18g, Sodium 33mg, Carbohydrate 17mg, Fiber 4g, Sugar 11g,
Protein 3g