Ingredients
1 c. water
1/2 c. white wine vinegar
2 tbsp. sugar
2 whole cloves
salt
2 1/2 tbsp. dry English mustard
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 lb. firm, ripe peaches
1/2 c. Pecan halves
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
Freshly ground pepper
10 c. baby mustard and kale leaves or mesclun
6 oz. glazed baked ham
Preparation
Step 1In a medium saucepan, combine the water, vinegar, sugar and cloves and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add a pinch of salt and whisk in the dry mustard and ginger.Step 2Add the peaches to the hot pickling liquid and let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and for up to 5 days.Step 3Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the pecans in a metal pie plate and bake for about 8 minutes, or until toasted. Let cool, then coarsely chop.Step 4In a large bowl, mix 1/4 cup of the pickling liquid with the mayonnaise and season with salt and pepper. Add the kale and mustard leaves and toss well. Transfer the salad to plates, scatter the pickled peaches and ham over the top. Sprinkle with the pecans and serve.Step 5Wine Recommendation: An assertive, fruity rosé, such as the 2000 Domaine de l’Olivette, from the south of France, or the 2000 Wölffer Estate from Long Island, will complement the ham in this salad and tie together the sweet, tangy and fruity elements in the vinaigrette.
