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Tomato feta panzanella salad | www.viktoriastable.com

Tomato feta panzanella salad with garlicky breadcrumbs + pesto dressing

Sweet and juicy heirloom tomatoes layered with creamy, salty feta, and toasted garlicky breadcrumbs - a super easy, flavorful and elegant take on a traditional panzanella salad.

Course Salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 453 kcal
Author Viktoria

Ingredients

For the salad:

  • 2 lbs ripe heirloom tomatoes
  • 1 cup good quality feta cheese, crumbled *
  • 1 cup garlicky breadcrumbs (recipe below)
  • 1/4 cup garlic pesto dressing (recipe below)

For the garlicky breadcrumbs:

  • 5-6 slices of good quality Italian bread
  • 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 2 Tbs olive oil
  • salt

For the dressing:

  • 2 Tbs pesto
  • 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 1/3 cup olive oil

Instructions

Make the garlicky breadcrumbs:

  1. Spread a few slices of Italian bread with olive oil and crushed garlic. Sprinkle with salt, cut into small pieces and mix with your hands so the oil and garlic is evenly distributed.

  2. Bake in the oven at 300° F until they are crisp and golden (check on them often so they don't burn).   Let cool, and pulse in the food processor until you get chunky bread crumbs - you don't want them to be too fine.  Store in a dry place, and use in place of regular breadcrumbs for a boost in flavor.

  3. Alternatively, you can make the breadcrumbs on the stove. First, process the bread in a food processor, until you get big breadcrumb pieces. Heat 2 Tbs olive oil in a pan, and fry

    the breadcrumbs, adding salt, and the pressed garlic at the last two minutes of cooking. Fry them on medium heat, until they are golden brown, and crispy (5-10 minutes).

Make the dressing:

  1. Mix the olive oil, garlic and pesto into a sauce.  Add salt if necessary.

Assemble the salad:

  1. Slice the tomatoes in thin circles, and place a single layer at the bottom of the serving dish. Pour some of the dressing, some salt, a handful of breadcrumbs and crumbled feta cheese to taste. Repeat with another layer, finishing up with feta. Go liberally on the olive oil, and pesto dressing. Taste and adjust dressing if needed.

    Devour and call it a dinner!

Recipe Notes

*  Good feta comes in brine. Look for French, Greek or Bulgarian feta, sold in bulk, in Mediterranean/Middle Eastern stores.