Blueberry and Goat Cheese Salad

Nothing speaks of summer as much as pints of freshly picked berries, all aligned in their containers at the farmers market – every color from red to blue, conjuring up images of berry pies, berries and ice cream, berry smoothies or just eating them by themselves and savoring their individual juicy delights. A fresh fruit salad comprised of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries served with a good shortbread cookie is the perfect end to a summer picnic.

Of all the summer berries, I have a penchant for raspberries and blueberries. The latter are also good for you as they are high in anti-oxidants and rich in vitamins A and C. Blueberries, which are native to Asia and North America are one of Earth’s oldest plants. They have been part of the native-American diet for centuries; used dried in puddings and cakes and used as a ground spice in meats and soups. I have developed many dishes over the years, both savory and sweet with these delectable fruit.

This salad marries sweet and savory, with the warm goat cheese blending with the blueberry vinaigrette. A delightful, slightly piquant salad – it’s great for lunch or as a first course. More blueberry dishes will follow over the course of the summer as they are amongst my favorite.