Sunburst Summer Delight: Caramelized Apricot and Cherry Tomato Salad with Brocciu Recipe
Summer’s bounty bursts with vibrant colors in this caramelized apricot and cherry tomato salad with brocciu that promises a delightful dance of sweet and savory flavors.
Ripe apricots and juicy cherry tomatoes mingle under a golden caramelized glaze, creating a stunning culinary canvas.
The creamy brocciu cheese adds a luxurious depth to each bite, balancing the fruits’ natural brightness.
Fragrant herbs weave through the dish, lending an aromatic complexity that tingles the palate.
Light yet satisfying, this salad celebrates the pure essence of seasonal ingredients.
Fresh and unexpected, it transforms a simple side into a star attraction.
You’ll want to savor every colorful, mouthwatering forkful of this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Calories: 210 kcal
Servings: 5
What You’ll Need for Apricot and Tomato Salad with Brocciu
For Fresh Produce:
Apricots: Sweet, sun-kissed fruits that caramelize beautifully, adding a golden glow and intense flavor to the salad.
Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with juicy sweetness, these vibrant red gems bring a fresh, bright note to the dish.
Spring Onions: Delicate and sharp, they provide a crisp bite and aromatic punch to balance the other ingredients.
Fresh Basil: Delightfully fragrant herb that adds a pop of green and elevates the entire salad with its aromatic essence.
For Protein and Dairy:
Brocciu: Soft, creamy Corsican cheese that melts gently, offering a rich and delicate texture to the salad.
For Nuts, Oils, and Seasonings:
Pine Nuts: Buttery and delicate nuts that toast to a golden perfection, adding a nutty crunch and sophisticated flavor.
Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity oil that helps caramelize ingredients and creates a silky base for the dressing.
Honey: Natural sweetener that helps caramelize the apricots and adds a golden, glossy finish.
Balsamic Vinegar: Tangy, complex liquid that brings depth and brightness to the dressing.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile of the salad.
Tools Required for Apricot and Cherry Tomato Salad
Large skillet: Essential for caramelizing apricots and toasting pine nuts.
Cutting board: Perfect for slicing apricots, tomatoes, and spring onions.
Sharp knife: Needed for precise cutting of ingredients.
Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for sautéing and stirring ingredients.
Small bowl: Useful for mixing dressing and seasoning.
Plate: Helps transfer caramelized apricots and hold ingredients.
Paper towel: Handy for wiping pan between cooking steps.
Instructions for Making This Apricot Brocciu Salad
Fruit Preparation Gently separate apricots into delicate pieces, creating a canvas of golden sunshine across your cutting board.
Caramelization Magic Heat a gleaming pan until it radiates warmth, then dance apricots through golden honey and a whisper of salt, transforming them into glossy treasures.
Nutty Notes Quickly toast pine nuts until they shimmer with a rich, toasted warmth, filling the kitchen with a delicate aroma.
Tomato Transformation Slice cherry tomatoes into jewel-like halves, their vibrant colors promising fresh garden flavor.
Green Accent Delicately cut spring onions into elegant ribbons that will add a subtle peppery crunch.
Dressing Elegance Whisk olive oil and balsamic into a silky blend that will embrace all ingredients.
Salad Symphony Arrange caramelized apricots, bright tomatoes, crisp onions, creamy brocciu, and crunchy pine nuts into a stunning landscape. Shower with salt, pepper, and a final drizzle of dressing, then crown with fresh basil leaves.
Tips to Add Flair to Apricot Tomato Salad
Replace brocciu with other soft cheeses like fresh ricotta, goat cheese, or burrata for diverse textures and regional variations.
Substitute pine nuts with toasted almonds, walnuts, or pecans to provide different crunch levels and nutritional benefits while maintaining the salad's elegant texture.
Sprinkle dried herbs like thyme or za'atar over the salad to introduce subtle Mediterranean-inspired aromatic notes that complement the fruit and cheese.
Serve the salad slightly warm with caramelized apricots or completely chilled for a refreshing summer dish, allowing flexible serving options based on personal preference and weather conditions.
Serve Apricot Tomato Salad with Style
Elevate Your Plating: Serve this vibrant salad on a sleek white plate to make the golden apricots and bright cherry tomatoes pop, creating a visually stunning presentation.
Create Texture Contrast: Crumble the brocciu cheese generously over the top, letting its creamy texture play against the crunchy toasted pine nuts and soft caramelized fruits.
Pair with Perfect Companions: Match this salad with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or alongside grilled chicken for a light summer lunch that feels both elegant and refreshing.
Customize Your Garnish: Sprinkle some extra fresh basil leaves just before serving to add a burst of herbal aroma and a final touch of green color to the dish.
Storing Apricot and Cherry Tomato Salad Correctly
Prep Ahead Strategy: Slice apricots, chop vegetables, and toast pine nuts up to 24 hours before serving to streamline meal preparation and save time.
Refrigerate Wisely: Store salad components separately in airtight containers; keep dressing, nuts, and cheese in sealed containers to maintain freshness for 2-3 days.
Quick Refreshing Tip: Add fresh basil and pine nuts just before serving to prevent wilting and maintain crisp textures and vibrant flavors.
Smart Serving Suggestion: Pack components in separate compartments for a delightful lunch option, keeping ingredients crisp and preventing soggy textures during transport.
Provençal chef Marie Laurent crafts her seasonal salad by combining caramelized apricot and cherry tomato salad with brocciu cheese into a Mediterranean masterpiece. Fresh ingredients mingle with subtle sweetness, creating a delightful balance you’ll savor on warm summer evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
4 apricots
20–24 colorful cherry tomatoes
50 g (1.76 oz) brocciu cheese
2 red spring onions
30 g (1.06 oz) pine nuts
1 tsp honey
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
4 tbsps olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
Caramelize Apricots: Halve apricots, remove pits, and cut into wedges. Heat skillet with olive oil, add apricot segments, honey, and sea salt. Sauté for 2 minutes until slightly firm and golden-brown.
Toast Nuts: In the same skillet, quickly toast pine nuts over high heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until golden and fragrant.
Prepare Vegetables: Slice cherry tomatoes in half and thinly cut spring onions into delicate rings.
Create Dressing: Whisk extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar until smoothly emulsified.
Assemble Salad: Artfully arrange caramelized apricots, cherry tomato halves, spring onion rings, crumbled brocciu cheese, and toasted pine nuts on a serving platter.
Season and Finish: Sprinkle freshly ground sea salt and black pepper over the salad. Drizzle prepared dressing evenly. Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves for a final aromatic touch.
Notes
Fruit Selection Matters: Choose ripe but firm apricots and vibrant cherry tomatoes for the best caramelization and flavor intensity.
Caramelization Technique: High heat is crucial; watch carefully to achieve golden-brown edges without burning the delicate fruits.
Nut Toasting Precision: Pine nuts burn quickly, so constant stirring and undivided attention prevent bitter, scorched results.
Cheese Temperature Tip: Serve brocciu at room temperature to enhance its creamy texture and allow its subtle flavors to shine through the salad.
Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.
Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.
Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.
Mia Reynolds
Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist
Expertise
Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners
Education
New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont
Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont
Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.
Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.