Cherry Salad

I follow a chef’s videos on Instagram named John Gregory-Smith. I didn’t even know he was a chef – I just thought he was a guy who loves cooking. It turns out that he’s written 7 cookbooks! I’d buy one but I recently purchased similar cookbooks so I thought I’d wait a bit. We definitely love similar cuisines.

One day I watched him make a salad with cherry tomatoes, cherries, pomegranate seeds, mozzarella, a lemon dressing that included pomegranate molasses, and I was in love. With the salad. So I searched.

I found his recipe for this salad on Ocado.com.

From the chef: “There is something so lush about the sweet tang of a juicy cherry and during the summer months, I can devour them in vast quantities, working at such pace I get stained fingers and what looks like badly applied lippie. They also work beautifully in a salad. That big flavour pops out when paired with tomatoes, basil, pomegranate and mozzarella. It’s delish as a light lunch or perfect as a BBQ side.”

We are a bit on the back side of cherry season where I live but I walked into Whole Foods yesterday and there they were!

Cherry Salad

1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
½ lemon, juiced
1 pinch salt
500g (a good pound) ripe cherries, halved and pitted
200g (7 ounces) mixed cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped
70g (2.5 ounces) pomegranate seeds
15g basil leaves, roughly chopped
200g (7 ounces) fresh mozzarella (I used burrata)

Pour the oil, pomegranate molasses and lemon juice into a small bowl, add a pinch of salt and whisk until combined.

Tip the cherries, tomatoes, most of the pomegranate seeds and most of the basil into a serving dish, pour over the dressing and mix well.

Tear over the mozzarella and scatter with the remaining pomegranate seeds and basil to serve.

Because my cherries were so sweet, the pomegranate molasses was a little redundant. I’d prefer a lemon dressing made with a Kalamata olive oil.

I could seriously see goat cheese in this salad. And, when I tested out the salad, I added avocado and a little salt. Excellent combination.

I’m not really sure what Ocado is, although Nigella Lawson also promotes the site. It seems to be about groceries, plus recipes are included, and it’s tied in to Marks and Spencer in the UK.

By Published On: August 24th, 202349 Comments on Cherry Salad

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

49 Comments

  1. Sandy Kitterman August 24, 2023 at 8:26 AM - Reply

    It’s such a beautiful salad. I love the idea of adding avacado. It might be amazing with bacon pieces too!
    Thank You
    SandyK

    • Chef Mimi August 24, 2023 at 8:32 AM - Reply

      Oh yes, I agree. A little saltiness added to the sweet.

  2. Chef Mimi August 24, 2023 at 8:32 AM - Reply

    I know! I like that the chef used multi-colored tomatoes, but I just have this thing about eating red tomatoes!

  3. Cynthia Woodman August 24, 2023 at 10:42 AM - Reply

    Any one of those cookbooks looks fabulous! Can’t wait to try the cherry salad!

    • Chef Mimi August 24, 2023 at 5:16 PM - Reply

      I know! That young man has been busy!

  4. Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen August 24, 2023 at 12:11 PM - Reply

    An interesting combination of flavors. I think I would like a little more of the salty too.

    • Chef Mimi August 24, 2023 at 5:14 PM - Reply

      Yes! I like the bacon suggestion. And I’d still not use pomegranate molasses for the dressing.

      • Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen August 24, 2023 at 5:24 PM

        I agree. I think the cherries will add the sweetness.
        Lucky you, our cherries are long done!

      • Chef Mimi August 24, 2023 at 7:10 PM

        I’m not surprised! I walked into Whole Foods and there they were. And SO sweet. I rushed to make the salad, although post-season for a lot of people. Sill worth getting in online.

  5. Pauline August 24, 2023 at 9:21 PM - Reply

    Your salad looks divine Mimi, and so photogenic, I can’t wait until our cherry season so that I can try this one. His cookbooks look very interesting.

    • Chef Mimi August 25, 2023 at 7:51 AM - Reply

      I could easily own every one of those cookbooks, except that I kind of already do, just by other authors. I love the food he loves!

  6. Tandy | Lavender and Lime August 24, 2023 at 10:54 PM - Reply

    I don’t like fruit in salads unless it’s a fruit salad. I’m very weird like that. But I do love cherries and the dressing sounds good.

    • Chef Mimi August 25, 2023 at 7:50 AM - Reply

      Well, it’s all about your personal tastes, but I do feel like you’re missing out. Even apples or pears?!

  7. Sherry Mackay August 25, 2023 at 1:38 AM - Reply

    this looks beautiful and sounds so delicious Mimi. I adore cherries but i don’t buy them often as they are so expensive!

    • Chef Mimi August 25, 2023 at 7:49 AM - Reply

      Oh that’s too bad. To be honest I didn’t look at their price tag. I was so excited to get this salad on my blog before summer ended!

  8. neil@neilshealthymeals.com August 26, 2023 at 6:55 AM - Reply

    I’ve been trying out all sorts of new salads this BBQ season. Not tried a cherry salad yet, Mimi. It’s now on the list!

    • Chef Mimi August 26, 2023 at 8:09 AM - Reply

      Good! You’ll love it!

  9. sallybr August 26, 2023 at 8:34 AM - Reply

    absolutely amazing!!!!!!

    • Chef Mimi August 26, 2023 at 8:48 AM - Reply

      Isn’t it?!!!

  10. Ronit August 26, 2023 at 6:38 PM - Reply

    Looks like a very tasty combination, though I can see how sweet cherries and pomegranate molasses can be overly sweet. Sour cherries would be a good option. I can also see how a salty/tangy feta cheese would work well in this salad. Definitely a recipe to play with! :)

    • Chef Mimi August 27, 2023 at 12:49 PM - Reply

      Definitely! Arugula, bacon, and feta!!!

  11. Healthy World Cuisine August 26, 2023 at 8:14 PM - Reply

    I would have never thought to put cherry tomatoes and cherries together in a salad – delicious! I guess they are both fruits, right? Yes, I see where you are at with the pomegranate dressing… It kind of needs something light and bright with a little tang. Love the addition of the creamy avocadoes.

    • Chef Mimi August 27, 2023 at 12:49 PM - Reply

      Nor have I ever thought to combine cherries and tomatoes. Cherries with arugula – yes! I think he did the right thing to use multi-colored tomatoes.

  12. Elena Bourke August 26, 2023 at 9:53 PM - Reply

    This salad is really beautiful. I love everything in it!

    • Chef Mimi August 27, 2023 at 12:48 PM - Reply

      I hope you try it!

  13. Jeff the Chef August 27, 2023 at 8:45 AM - Reply

    I spend the summers in a prominent cherry-growing region, where you can find cherry EVERYTHING, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of cherries in a salad. Cherry vinaigrette, sure. But not whole fresh cherries in a salad. I can’t wait to try it! There’s only about a month or so in which you can get fresh local sweet cherries at a farm stand, at that’s well behind us now.

    • Chef Mimi August 27, 2023 at 12:47 PM - Reply

      I know!!! This is so unique, and from now on, when it’s cherry season, I will throw cherries into a green salads, just like I do with apples or watermelon!

  14. Frank Fariello August 27, 2023 at 9:53 AM - Reply

    What a strikingly pretty dish! The contrasting colors and tastes and textures sound amazing.

    • Chef Mimi August 27, 2023 at 12:46 PM - Reply

      I am so happy that this salad is in my life!

  15. Chef Mimi August 27, 2023 at 12:46 PM - Reply

    Isn’t this incredible?!

  16. Elena August 27, 2023 at 10:03 PM - Reply

    This salad is unique and beautiful.Thos cookbooks look very interesting! I am woefully unadventurous when it comes to spices. However, a recipe for Lobster Aguachille by chef Eduardo Garcia, has me buying achiote and looking to make some interestingly spiced sauces. I look forward to exploring recipes that call for unfamiliar seasonings. :)

    • Chef Mimi August 28, 2023 at 7:34 AM - Reply

      That’s the most fun I have in the kitchen – using new spices! Annatto seeds are fun to use – such a great color! We just love flavor. I’m glad you’re enjoying cooking!

  17. Kelly | Foodtasia August 28, 2023 at 4:36 AM - Reply

    Looks wonderful, Mimi! I’m in love too!

    • Chef Mimi August 28, 2023 at 7:35 AM - Reply

      It’s so good and unique!

  18. Chef Mimi August 28, 2023 at 7:31 AM - Reply

    It was really so good!

  19. spicedblog August 28, 2023 at 7:33 AM - Reply

    Oh what a good idea! This is a fun (and different) summer salad. I do love cherries, but I don’t think I’ve used used them in a salad like this. Good call on the burrata – that stuff is amazing!! And I actually have that Mighty Spice cookbook on a shelf somewhere…it’s a good one if I recall!

  20. David Scott Allen August 28, 2023 at 9:58 AM - Reply

    Fruits in salad aren’t usually my thing, but this sounds quite wonderful and I think your idea of a lemon dressing makes sense, thought I would want to try the pomegranate molasses just to see…

    • Chef Mimi August 28, 2023 at 1:03 PM - Reply

      I’ve heard that before. Personally I think you’re missing out! (IMHO) Pears, apples, berries, watermelon and dried fruits are all fabulous when paired properly with a salad. This one is super unique – it’s almost a fruit salad!

  21. Hannah Kaminsky August 28, 2023 at 7:38 PM - Reply

    What a truly gorgeous and luscious combination! The photos alone are good enough to eat. I love that sweet and savory interplay with ripe fruits and buttery avocado to put it over the top.

    • Chef Mimi August 29, 2023 at 8:12 AM - Reply

      Thanks! To avocado addition made it even better. No offense to the chef.

  22. Debra August 28, 2023 at 10:12 PM - Reply

    Wow, Mimi! This strikes me as quite original, and a gorgeous salad! I can’t wait to give this a try!

    • Chef Mimi August 29, 2023 at 8:12 AM - Reply

      I hope you do try it. It’s pretty amazing.

  23. nancyc August 29, 2023 at 9:02 PM - Reply

    What a pretty salad! It sounds delicious too! :)

    • Chef Mimi August 30, 2023 at 2:29 PM - Reply

      This was so delicious. And unique!

  24. Raymund August 30, 2023 at 10:38 PM - Reply

    Wow! such a vibrant looking salad. Love the colours

    • Chef Mimi August 31, 2023 at 1:29 PM - Reply

      It is definitely a RED salad!

  25. Chef Mimi August 31, 2023 at 1:30 PM - Reply

    That’s my only complaint. And for an actual chef I was surprised. Otherwise he should have called it a fruit salad.

  26. myhomefoodthatsamore September 2, 2023 at 1:58 AM - Reply

    I can see why you are so glad this salad is in your life, amazing amazing amazing – thank you so much for being so diligent with your Monday recipes. I do not always comment but please know that I appreciate your posts very much – and the enthusiasm and know-how that go with them.

    • Chef Mimi September 2, 2023 at 7:29 AM - Reply

      Aww, that’s very sweet. Are you still blogging?

Leave a Reply. I love 'em!