When I think about summer salads, I often steer away from the usual lettuce + toppings kind of salad. Southern heat is too oppressive for growing lettuce and delicate greens, and the greens that do grow in summertime are usually better cooked than raw (or super bitter). Late summer markets are filled with sun-loving fruits and veggies, like stone fruit and nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, etc.). So August’s salad of the month celebrates two of my favorite late summer gems: peaches and tomatoes. But the real star of the show is burrata, one of the best cheeses ever. It’s basically mozzarella with a creamy center, and it’s a crowd pleaser for sure. Top it all off with a drizzle of good olive oil, fragrant basil (and/or microgreens!), and crispy prosciutto. And maybe serve it with a cold glass of Provençal rosé.
You can crisp up the prosciutto ahead of time, then it only takes a few minutes to throw together this salad for an easy appetizer or snack. You could easily substitute the peaches for another stone fruit like plums or apricots, and you can use any variety of tomato (or nix them altogether). I’ve found it easiest to tear or cut the burrata into pieces when plating for ease of serving.