Geoffrey Zakarian's Summer Panzanella with Peaches and Grilled Halloumi, Finished Dish, as seen on The Kitchen, Season 39/40
Recipe courtesy of Geoffrey Zakarian

Summer Panzanella with Peaches and Grilled Halloumi

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  • Level: Intermediate
  • Total: 1 hr (including sitting time)
  • Active: 40 min
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
This summer panzanella is my fresh, updated take on a Tuscan classic, made heartier with grilled halloumi and sweet, ripe peaches. The key here is balance—juicy tomatoes, briny olives, crisp cucumbers, and toasted sourdough all come together under a bright champagne vinaigrette. It's the kind of dish that feels effortless but delivers big on flavor and texture, perfect for warm-weather gatherings.

Ingredients

Salad:

Champagne Vinaigrette:

Directions

  1. For the salad: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  2. Toss the sourdough cubes with the olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet. Bake until golden and crispy, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.
  3. Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat.
  4. Grill the halloumi until golden brown and slightly crisp, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Peel the husks off the corn until just a thin layer of husk remains. Place on the grill to cook until just lightly “steamed,” 2 minutes per side. Allow to cool, then remove the husks completely and cut off the kernels.
  5. For the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, mustard and minced garlic. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking continuously. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the toasted sourdough, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, Fresno chile, peaches, corn, shallots, olives, basil and mint. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.
  7. Let the salad sit for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve immediately with grilled halloumi slices on top.