Spring Salad & Grapes & Pistachio-Crusted Goat Cheese Recipe (2024)

I saw this recipe last week, and could not believe the reviews it had gotten, it just looked too simple. After making it this evening, I am blown away by the flavor and simplicity of the recipe. I made this recipe with the dressing as suggested, except I didn’t use the full basil since I was using off-the-vine fresh basil, which can be overpowering. The cheese balls were simple enough, and although seemed excessive when making them, they really helped the pistachios and cheese come together when in the salad bringing the full flavor together. The tart dressing, combined with the sweet grapes and salty pistachio made wonderful combinations and really delivered in taste. Overall my rating is based on simplicity, cost (cheap), and flavor (delicious).

I've made this a couple of times now, and it does not disappoint. The dressing can be a little time-consuming but fresh herbs are essential, and the rest of it - even the goat cheese balls - comes together about as quickly as most worthwhile salads. Like the other reviewer I make the balls smaller, and although I make this for just two, more recently I used the full amount of pistachios and sprinkled half of them whole over the salads for some extra MUFA. We had this for dinner with Chllled Peach Soup (SL), although some bread and even a glass of wine would have fit in nicely.

This salad is always greeted with enthusiasm in our household as everyone loves it! I have a 9 and 11 year old so getting them excited about a healthy salad is really something. We love the sweet grapes combined with the goat cheese balls coated in pistachios- all without complaining that they are eating healthy greens. I also make more but smaller goat cheese balls for the smaller mouths so they don't eat up the cheese too quickly before the salad is eaten. This salad is so wonderful that I think it would be great for a dinner party too where you want to impress. Both the taste and presentation makes it great for entertaining as well as regular use.

This is outstanding. A light and interesting salad and crowd pleaser. I also made for a group of 14 ladies recently. Instead of making the goat cheese balls I crumbled the cheese in the salad and used chopped toasted walnuts instead of pistachios. There was enough dressing to serve all. Plus they all wanted the recipe. I will make this one often when I want to impress.

I love love love this salad. It requires a bit more work than the typical salad prep, but MAN, is it worth it. A big hit with the fam:)

Incredibly good--very easy. Great for a dinner party. Like something you would get at a top-notch restaurant. I will definitely make this again!

So easy and so good. I made this salad for lunch everyday and it didn't disappoint me as I didn't feel like I wasn't getting a lot of salad or the fact that I still had a lot more salad to eat. It was just the right size and the dressing was quick and easy to make.

This salad was amazing! I followed the recipe exactly and served alongside CL's Chicken Milanese. Absolutely wonderful! I will definitely make this again. Perfect spring salad.

Only giving four stars because I didn't make the dressing, I just used kosher salt and lemon juice as dressnig (was a bit lazy and behind the curve on making dinner that night) and omitted grapes and used grape tomatoes halved instead. But I have to say that the pisatchio-crusted goat cheese balls were amazing! I definitely would never have thought to put those two together but the sharp taste of the cheese and the sweet nut meats were a perfect combination. I will be making again, and I've mad a dressing pretty similar to that before and I think it will be a fantastic combination.

So Good! My husband actually called it luxurious.

A very tasty salad. I topped it with shredded some leftover chicken and made it into an entree. The goat cheese pistachio balls were a bit messy to make but very tasty. I also topped the salad with dried cranberries for a little added sweetness. I would definitely make this summer salad again.

I served this as a side for an Easter buffet and it was a huge hit. I substituted chopped toasted pecans for the pistachios, but made no other changes. The dressing is very fresh and light tasting and the herbs complement the richness of the goat cheese and nuts. I made the dressing the night before to allow the flavors to blend. Will definitely make this again.