Kick boring salads to the curb with this Arugula Salad with Roasted Grapes and Feta Cheese.
I hosted book club at my house a few weeks ago and when I was planning the menu, I knew that an Arugula Salad with Roasted Grapes and Feta Cheese would be a hit. When the five of us go out to dinner, we tend to get a side of vegetables as one of our appetizers, and there are always several salads on the table. Are we weird or just healthy eaters?
Wait, don’t answer that.
I wanted to do something a little different for book club, and salads are the perfect blank slate. It is kind of funny how our book club menus have changed over the years as my eating habits have evolved. Don’t get me wrong, I love cheese and butter as much as the next person, but I have been trying to be much more intentional in the amount of vegetables I eat. And now I crave them.
Have you ever roasted grapes? Roasting grapes brings out their sweetness even more. Toss them with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar and give them a quick roast in the oven. The end result? Delicious sweet, slightly acidic roasted grapes that balance perfectly with the peppery arugula and salty feta. Add a quick squeeze of lemon juice and olive oil, and this simple salad is full of complex flavors that are a welcome addition to any meal.
As for book club’s opinion? Well, the bowl was empty, does that tell you?
Yield: 4
Roasted Grape, Feta and Arugula Salad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups seedless red grapes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 ounces arugula
- 1 ounce crumbled feta cheese (about 1/4 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Toss grapes with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Place on jelly roll pan and roast for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place in a small bowl being sure to get the juices, too. Add walnuts, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to coat.
- Place arugula in a salad bowl and add the the roasted grape and walnut combination and toss to combine. Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve.
More Book Club Favorites:
Tomato, Feta and Vidalia Onion Salad – Garnish with Lemon®
Avocado Caprese Salad – Foodie Crush
Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Citrus Vinaigrette – Garnish with Lemon®
Roasted Asparagus with Soy Sesame Glaze – Kalyn’s Kitchen
Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad – Garnish with Lemon®
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
I love roasted grapes! In fact, I’d say that I’m obsessed with them. They’re also wonderful with goat cheese, drizzled with honey. I can easily see my book group gobbling this salad right up – and since the next meeting is at my house …
Lisa says
Oooh, I like the way you think! goat cheese + roasted grapes = heaven!
Christie says
You always make the most gorgeous salads. I can’t wait to try this one. Salads are always a hit at our get togethers.
Lisa says
Aw, thanks, Christie!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
Oh yum – I love roasted grapes! And all of the flavors in this salad are perfect together!
Lisa says
Roasted grapes are the best! Thanks, Martha
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I’ve never tried roasted grapes. Does it matter if they are red or green grapes? The red certainly make a beautiful color presentation!
Lisa says
Hi Kathy, You can roast either kind, but the red ones are going to be a little sweeter!
jean | lemons & anchovies says
It’s like you had me in mind when you created this salad–it’s perfect! I’ve used roasted grapes on crostini but now I’ll have to add them in my salads, too. This salad has everything I love in it–no surprise that your book club devoured it. 🙂
Lisa says
I love ingredients that can be used more than one way! Roasted grapes are delicious so many ways!
Kristina says
I love roasted grapes, I imagine they are wonderful with the spicy flavor of arugula!
Lisa says
They are spot on with the arugula! Great balance of flavors!
jean says
This is exactly my kind of salad and roasted grapes are wonderful! I’ve used them in crostini but never like this. Must change this soon. No surprise there was none left after your book club meeting !
[email protected] says
I confess I’ve never roasted grapes. But that’s about to change. 🙂 Your salad looks marvelous!
Lisa says
You won’t regret it, Susan. Roasted grapes are the best!
Carol at /Wild Goose Tea says
Arugula is one of my MOST favorite greens. I love the zip of the flavor. I make similar salads, but never never never thought of roasting the grapes. Great.
Lisa says
The roasted grapes are amazing! They add such great flavor and are so unexpected. I’m with you in your love of arugula!
The Steaming Pot says
Now that’s interesting – roasted grapes! Love this idea and the combination of flavors with feta and arugula.
KalynsKitchen says
YUM! Sign me up for this. Thanks for the shout-out for my roasted asparagus recipe too.