[1] A twist on the Caprese salad, adding peaches or nectarines plus enough arugula to make it a green salad fusion. The recipe is below (photo © Colavita Recipes).

[2] A creative idea: use bite-size mozzarella balls (bocconcini) instead of sliced mozzarella (photo © Fruits From Chile).

[3] A minimalist, fruit-centric peach Caprese (photo © Good Eggs).

August is National Peach Month, celebrating the juicy stone fruit* that is one of America’s Top 10 favorites. In the U.S., the peach season begins in June and lasts until the end of August. August is when the peaches are at their peak—so gather ye peaches as ye may.

You could bake a peach pie or one of the other peach recipes below, but how about this easy Peach and Tomato Caprese Salad?

A spin on the traditional Caprese (photo #4), the peaches are a sweet complement to summer tomatoes. You can substitute nectarines for the peaches.

Thanks to Colavita for the recipe, below.

Elsewhere on The Nibble:

> Here’s more about stone fruits, also known as drupes.

> You can make your own balsamic glaze from balsamic vinegar.

> Caprese salad history.

> More Caprese recipes.

> The history of salad.

> The year’s 40+ salad holidays.
 
 
RECIPE: PEACH OR NECTARINE CAPRESE SALAD

This salad can be a first course or a lunch salad.
 
Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. PREPARE the fruit. Cut the tomatoes lengthwise into large rounds about ¼” thick. Slice the peaches or nectarines into segments, discarding the pit.

2. SLICE the mozzarella cheese into rounds about ⅛” thick.

3. PLACE a circle of tomato slices onto a large serving platter. Season with 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Layer the slices of mozzarella cheese on top of the tomatoes. Place the peach or nectarine slices on top of the cheese.

4. MOUND the arugula in the middle of the circle of fruit. Sprinkle the blackberries onto the arugula. Sprinkle the arugula and blackberries with the remaining salt.

5. SHAVE the Parmesan cheese with a potato peeler and distribute the shavings on top of the arugula and blackberries.

6. DRIZZLE the entire platter with the olive oil, then drizzle with the balsamic glaze. Scatter the basil leaves throughout. Serve!
 

*Common stone fruits include the apricot, cherry, damson, nectarine, peach, plum, and hybrids like apriums, plumcots, and pluots. Here’s more information about stone fruits and other drupes.

 
 

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We feel a bit hesitant to publish this “public service announcement” on the heels of National S’mores Day, but August is National Wellness Month.

National Wellness Month focuses on self-care, stress management, and creating healthy routines, including eating.

So here’s our PSA.

These eight tips for healthy eating come from the National Health Service—of the U.K.! The advice is universal.

1. Base your meals on higher fiber starchy carbohydrates (i.e., unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans).

2. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables.

3. Eat more fish, including a portion of oily fish (the latter include eel, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, sprats, trout, and tuna).

4. Cut down on saturated fat and sugar.

5. Eat less salt: no more than 6g a day for adults.

6. Get active and be a healthy weight.

7. Do not get thirsty (i.e., drink enough water).

8. Do not skip breakfast.
 
 
You can read the full article here.
 
 
Dear reader, you may say, “I know all this.”

Great! Happy National Wellness Month!

[1] Spinach hummus with crudites, for a starter or snack (photo © Australian Asparagus Growers).

[2] Miso-glazed salmon atop mixed vegetables—edamame, mushrooms, onions. Here’s the recipe (photo © Chef Rita French | Urban Kitchen & Bar | Phoenix [permanently closed]).

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This party platter is a s’mores lover’s dream (photo © XO Marshmallow).

August 10th is National S’mores Day. We never run out of creative s’mores recipes: Check them out here.

Whether it’s a s’mores cake, s’mores pie, s’mores ice cream, s’mores popcorn, or the classic s’mores cookie sandwich, every bite is a delight.

One year, we went overboard and had a s’mores party with six of these recipes. After tasting some of everything, some guests were begging for plain Greek yogurt to “detox.”

Lesson learned: The next year we served just one (the S’mores Baked Alaska).

Maybe next year we’ll treat family and friends to the s’mores party platter in the photo, the creation of XO Marshmallow.

If it’s too overwhelming for you, default to these classic s’mores. You don’t need a campfire; you can melt them in the oven.
 
 
> The history of s’mores.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.