HHello! I’m Kylee. One of the things I looked forward to most about owning a home with a yard was having a garden. Our space is small — just a narrow strip along the side of our townhouse — but it’s perfect for a compact garden. Over time I’ve been planting a few things here and there, and it’s a joy to watch new flowers open or to spot the first strawberry of the season.
A couple of months ago my husband built a raised garden bed and we planted some vegetable starts. The arugula really took off over the past few weeks and it’s been showing up in everything I make. Lately I’m especially hooked on a very simple salad with fresh arugula, sweet red grapes, and creamy goat cheese. I’m not usually someone who adds fruit to salads, but this combination is light, refreshing, and feels a little bit special.
Ingredients
Salad:
Arugula
Red grapes (halved or whole, depending on size)
Soft goat cheese, crumbled
Walnuts (optional, toasted for extra flavor)
Dressing:
Extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
I usually make this salad individually for lunch and don’t measure—just assemble the ingredients to taste and drizzle a little olive oil and balsamic over the top. Finish with a sprinkle of salt and freshly ground pepper, and you’ve got a super simple salad that feels gourmet.
If you want a more evenly mixed dressing, whisk the oil and vinegar together in a small bowl before dressing the salad, or make a larger batch and store it in a jar for future use. A classic ratio to aim for is roughly three parts oil to one part vinegar, then season with salt and pepper to taste. For convenience I often drizzle the oil and vinegar separately over the salad in the bowl to avoid an extra dish, but both approaches work well.
Tips and Variations
Use baby arugula for a tender base, or mix peppery arugula with milder greens if you prefer a softer bite. Swap walnuts for pecans or toasted almonds for different textures. Try adding sliced pear for extra sweetness, or a light squeeze of lemon if you want a brighter dressing. For a heartier salad, toss in some cooked quinoa or sliced roasted chicken.
This salad is quick to put together, celebrates fresh ingredients, and is an easy way to enjoy produce from a small garden. Enjoy!