Red Grape and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts {gluten-free}

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Red Grape and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts {gluten-free}

We’ve been living here in Southern California just over 16 months and I still wake up everyday, pinching myself that this is where I live. Palm trees, ocean air, the beach just over half a mile away. And then there is my yard! The huge vegetable garden and fruit trees galore – we have fig, peach, orange, banana, apple and loquat trees and the avocado tree! Oh, that avocado tree! Besides that avocado tree, one of my favorite things, however are the beautiful grape vines behind the house. They span the width of the entire house and then some.

Red Grape and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts {gluten-free}

There are several varieties of grapes growing back there – to be honest I couldn’t even tell you what they all are! I think these pictured and used in this recipe might be moscoto (red table) grapes, from the little bit of research I did online. But I haven’t a clue. I just know they are yummy and I don’t have to do much to get them to grow!

Last year, I couldn’t seem to get to the grapes before the squirrels and/or birds did, so we really didn’t get to enjoy too many. But, this year I was determined to eat more grapes than the critters and we are definitely succeeding. The first day I went out to start collecting my bounty, I came back in with over 10lbs of grapes and that wasn’t even 10% of them. We have mostly been eating them as is, bringing them to friends and freezing them for a special frosty, sweet treat – but I have also been having fun getting creative with them. Roasting and grilling them, adding them to salads, to smoothies and juices, and more. I just have to forewarn you now, you may see a decent amount of grape recipes in the coming week or two. 

Red Grape and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts {gluten-free}

This Red Grape and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts is super simple to make, in fact the most tedious part about it is cutting two cups of grapes in half. But, if that’s the biggest problem you have in your life, I’d say you are doing OK! There is a really nice complimentary crunch from the toasted walnuts, a tartness from the grapes and the white wine vinegar and a subtle sweetness from the grapes. The creamy soft goat cheese finishes it all so perfectly and I especially love the smooth, fresh finishing flavor of the Terra Delyssa Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This recipe serves 4 as a side or two as a main salad. We enjoyed this  it as lunch earlier this week, on a hot day out on the deck overlooking all of our lovely trees and gardens.

Red Grape and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts {gluten-free}

I mean it though, seriously, pinch me! I have grape vines, in my yard. That’s crazy.

Red Grape and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts {gluten-free}

[print_this]Red Grape and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts {gluten-free}
serves 4 as a side salad

  • 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
  • 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (or other white vinegar: white balsamic, champagne, rice, etc.)
  • 2 tablespoons Terra Delyssa Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

Add the grapes, goat cheese, walnuts and parsley to a large bowl. Pour the vinegar and olive oil overtop. Toss around gently to mix well. Season with sea salt, pepper and red pepper flakes, to taste. Enjoy![/print_this]

NOTES:

if your grapes aren’t seedless just grab a pairing knife and knock the seeds out when you are halving them

this salad is also delicious with fresh arugula or other greens added

Did you make this recipe - or any others from the TY archives?

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8 Responses

  1. Amanda says:

    I love the grape, walnut and goat cheese combo. So healthy but hearty at the same time. Your grapes look perfect – I have a fig tree and my backyard and it is a constant fight with the squirrels. Sadly I think they will win 🙂

  2. Your yard sounds unbelievable! I would give my left arm just for a fig tree but all of those together?! Incredible! The salad combo sounds really great.

  3. Ashley says:

    Oh my word this sounds amazing! Those grapes are perfect.

  4. kitty says:

    This looks and sounds amazing. Yum! Will have to try it. Just stumbled across your blog and am loving what I’m seeing, have just bookmarked it 🙂

  5. When I was a kid (in the midwest) we had peach, pear, and apple trees, raspberries, gooseberries, rhubarb and strawberries growing in our yard. Also a grape variety that wasn’t so good for eating, but good for canning. I hope one day when I actually have my own yard to be able to recreate that amazingness.

    Oh, a chef friend once taught me this quick tip for halving lots of small bits like grapes or cherry tomatoes… http://www.biggirlssmallkitchen.com/2012/06/streamlining-tomato-halves.html

  6. Liz says:

    I’m with Kate — I’d give up my first born JUST for a fig tree. But, grape vines, an orange, peach AND AVOCADO tree?? (I’ve never even HAD loquats!) I am UBER jealous. I’m even MORE jealous over the fact that birds and squirrels are the only pests you need to keep away. All I have in my yard is a (dying) apple tree (that does NOT produce tasty fruit) and a mulberry tree (which I ADORE), but, between the birds, squirrels, deer, groundhogs, our new roving mob of raccoons, and the ANTS, it’s virtually impossible to keep the edibles off limits. YOU, Beth, have got to be one of the most blessed people I “know”. 🙂 Can you do an entire Photo Fun Friday dedicated to your yard offerings? I’d LOVE to see it all in all it’s full glory.

    PS. Have you looked into deer/bird netting or garden fabric? It will keep the birds out for sure, and, if there is a plentiful food supply, it may enough to dissuade the squirrels, as well. Even if it doesn’t keep them out entirely, it could be enough of a deterrent to, at least, leave some for you. But, well, with a bounty of 10 lbs, it looks like you may not need to use any of those things!

  7. […] Tasty Yummies shared Red Grape and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts […]

  8. Bonnie Sanders says:

    Beth: As usual your recipes are delicious. Made this a couple of nights ago, I know you said it was 4 servings but my husband and I finished it off just the two of us. Thanks for your wonderful recipes and website.

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