Salad of Mixed Greens with Grilled Peaches and Cabrales Cheese

• Recipe by Bradford Thompson

Chef Bradford Thompson of Mary Elaine's at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona, combines Spanish blue cheese, toasted walnuts and sweet, drippy peaches with frisée for a delicious salad.

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup walnuts
2. 4 firm, ripe freestone peaches, halved and pitted
3. 2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4. Salt and freshly ground pepper
5. 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
6. 3 ounces arugula, large stems discarded
7. One 5-ounce head frisée, torn into bite-size pieces (4 cups)
8. 3 ounces Cabrales cheese, crumbled (1 cup)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Light a grill. Put the walnuts in a pie plate and toast in the oven for 7 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Transfer the walnuts to a plate and let cool, then coarsely chop.
2. In a medium bowl, toss the peaches with 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the peaches over a medium-high fire until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the peaches to a work surface and cut each half in half.
3. In a medium bowl, mix the vinegar with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add the arugula and frisée and toss well. Transfer the salad to a platter and scatter the Cabrales and toasted walnuts on top. Arrange the peaches around the salad and serve.