South African summers are made for good food with big flavour and freshness, and there are few pairings more effortlessly delicious than stone fruit and cheese.
Juicy peaches, nectarines, and plums bring freshness, delicate aromas, natural sweetness, and juiciness, while cheese adds saltiness, creaminess, and depth.
Together, they meet in the middle. Bright, balanced and versatile. It’s a friendship that works just as well in an uplifting salad as it does in a dessert, a taco, or a generous platter shared outdoors.
A seasonal pairing at its peak
To celebrate the happy bond between stone fruit and cheese this summer, Juicy Delicious and Rediscover Dairy have teamed up to showcase a stunning collection of new recipes.
Wilechia van der Westhuizen, spokesperson for Juicy Delicious and Hortgro Trade Development Manager, says, “It’s a great time to make the most of both the versatility and the quality of our locally grown stone fruit.
Peaches, nectarines and plums are at their peak of flavour and juiciness. But they bring more than that to your table. These summer favourites are also naturally rich in vitamins A and C, potassium and antioxidants, supporting hydration and everyday wellbeing in this hotter weather.”
The nutritional strength of cheese
Cheese, too, is packed with goodness. It’s an excellent source of high-quality protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins. Nutrients that keep you fuelled during the active summer days, while adding those creamy, salty or tangy notes that make stone fruit truly shine.
As Maretha Vermaak, Registered Dietitian at Rediscover Dairy says, “Dairy foods such as cheese play an essential role in our diets, making it easier to get our recommended three servings of dairy a day. Cheese can help to support not just strong bones but also heart, gut and dental health.
It’s also delicious and appeals to all ages. Paired with stone fruit, as in this recipe collection, you’re getting an even broader spectrum of nutrients to support the whole family’s health.”
Four fresh summer recipes
This recipe collection celebrates that perfect harmony with four fresh summer recipes – each pairing stone fruit with local cheeses in its own delicious way:
Roasted halloumi and grilled peach salad
Halloumi’s salty bite and golden edges are the ideal match for smoky, caramelised peaches. Tossed with crisp greens and a shallot, honey-mustard dressing, it’s a salad that is both refreshing and deeply satisfying.
Soft-shell tacos with harissa yoghurt chicken, stone fruit salsa and feta
These tacos deliver sunshine in every bite. Juicy grilled chicken marinated in harissa yoghurt, a bright salsa of chopped stone fruit which works its magic with the creaminess of feta. A green yoghurt dressing ties it all together, balancing heat, freshness and richness.
Stone fruit galette with goat’s cheese, cream cheese and honey
Nectarines and plums bake down into soft, jammy pockets of flavour, balanced by the gentle tang of goat’s cheese within the pastry. Cream cheese forms a succulent layer over the base, while a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of thyme on top finishes off this rustic dessert. Perfect for summer afternoons or to round off a braai.
The summer of ’25 stone fruit and cheese platter
A generous board of six selected South African cheeses, including cheddar and Gouda, are paired with fresh plum slices, grilled nectarines and luscious peach and ginger compote. Adding Parma ham, olives and crostini makes for an easy, crowd-pleasing centrepiece at a braai, picnic or a party.
The perfect wine pairing
A good wine to accompany any of these recipes is the Beau Constantia Pas de Nom Rosé. A harmonious blend of Syrah and Mataro, it offers a fine line of acidity, supple tannins and layers of juicy fruit.
Mataro brings delicate aromas of dusty wild strawberries and raspberry with a subtle peppery edge, while the Syrah adds purity, depth and a lingering complexity.
A rosé like this is one of the best wines to pair with both stone fruit and cheese. Its acidity cuts through the creamy textures of cheese and its bright fruit amplifies the sweetness of stone fruit.
A summer pairing that always works
This summer, showcase the beautiful friendship of stone fruit and cheese at your table. It’s a pairing that always works brilliantly, whether you’re cooking for a crowd, sharing a romantic meal for two, or enjoying some me-time in the garden shade.