This Peach and Tomato salad is about as summery as it gets. Fresh peaches, in-season tomatoes – which couldn’t be better in late summer – take on a touch of luxuriousness and sophistication when tossed in in a balsamic vinaigrette and arranged on a bed of whipped goat cheese. Pops of lemon zest, mint, and celery keep your taste buds working in overdrive as you enjoy every last bite.
Ingredients
¼ tsp Kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
¾ oz. (1 Tbs) balsamic vinegar
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1½ oz. (3 Tbs) extra-virgin olive oil
4 oz. goat cheese
6 Tbs heavy cream
1½ lbs. (3-4 large) peaches
2 lbs. (3 large) red tomatoes (see notes)
2 small celery stalks, cut into ¼-inch pieces
¼ cup fresh mint leaves (see notes)
Feta cheese, crumbled, for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Place salt, pepper, vinegar, and ½ oz. (1 Tbs) of the lemon juice into the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment. (Repurpose any remaining juice.) Whisk on speed 6 (of 10) until well blended, about 30 seconds. With the mixer running, pour in the oil in the slowest, smallest trickle you can manage. Once it’s all in, increase the mixer to highest speed for 30 seconds. Pour the dressing into a small container and set aside. Clean and dry the mixer and whisk.
- Place the goat cheese into the mixer. Whip on highest speed until it’s very soft and sticks to the sides of the bowl, about 2 minutes. (You may need to hold a tea towel around the mixer to prevent spatter.) Scrape down the side of the bowl. Add the cream and ½-tsp lemon zest. (Repurpose any remaining zest.) Whip on highest speed just until the mixture comes together and is fluffy, about 30 seconds. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Slice the peaches in half and remove their pits. Slice each peach half into four wedges. Remove the core from the stem ends of the tomatoes, and slice them into ½-inch rounds. (Slice them into half-moons, optionally.)
- Scoop ¼ of the cheese mixture off-center onto a large, chilled dinner plate. Use a flexible spatula to spread about half of it straight across the plate. Toss ¼ of the the peach wedges with 1 Tbs of the dressing; arrange over the cheese. Tuck ¼ of the tomatoes around the peaches. Toss ¼ of the celery over all. Sprinkle with ¼ of the mint (or to taste). (Garnish with feta.) Drizzle with just a few extra drops of dressing. Sprinkle a few grains of salt and pepper over all. Repeat to create three more servings. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Any size tomato will work. A mixture of red and yellow tomatoes would be nice.
- If the mint leaves are large, julienne them. If they’re small, you can tear them into pieces and/or use the whole.
Social Leaning
Why I think this is blogworthy: first, who doesn’t want to be presented with a salad this colorful? Second, it’s just a few blocks off of mainstream, which is a plus in my book, since that’s where all the best hidden gems always are. And third, – which is my favorite thing about – is the way the flavors interact. The balsamic seems to make the peaches even peachier, and the tomatoes even more tomato-y, while the zest and mint accentuate everything.
If your peaches and tomatoes are the same size, you could re-cast this salad, stacking it in Napoleonic layers.
Buy extra lemons and use them to make lemonade concentrate. Mix the one part lemonade with two parts sparkling water and serve this over ice with the salad.
If you’re going to have leftover salad, don’t dress any of it. Keep all the components separately, in the fridge.
But wait, there’s more
This salad is fantastic on toast. You can do this with the leftovers, or can just do it right from the get-go; it’s that good. You’ll need a thick slice of bread, like a split ciabatta. Toast it. Spread the goat cheese mixture over it generously. Dice the peaches and tomatoes into small pieces. Toss all the salad ingredients together with a light amount of dressing, and pile it atop the cheese.
Peach and Tomato Salad with Whipped Goat Cheese
Credit for images on this page: Make It Like a Man! unless otherwise credited. This content was not solicited by anyone, nor was it written in exchange for anything. Thank you, Kesor. Thanks, Prosper Circle. References: The Editors of Martha Stewart Living, “Minted Peach and Tomato Salad.” In Martha Stewart’s Cooking School: The Original Classics. (New York, NY: Clarkson Potter, 2007), 142. Better Homes & Gardens, NYT.
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Wow wow wow. Beautiful. Delicious. I like the celery crunch in here, too. I wouldn’t have thought to add that. Great salad!
Chefmimi recently posted…Spiced Chicken Tart
Thank you so much!
I have peaches, tomatoes, goat cheese, and fresh mint. This sounds like a great way to use them!
anne recently posted…When Is A Plan, Not A Plan?
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Looks absolutely heavenly, and I bet it tastes even better.
Thank you, Judy!
I love whipped goat cheese! Pairing with seasonal sweet juicy stone fruit and tomatoes is surely a treat!
angiesrecipes recently posted…Spiced Chicken Drumsticks with Coconut Peanut Dip
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Terrific! Loving all the flavours and textures going on here. And this whipped goat cheese? Yes please!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Blueberry Cheesecake Crêpes
🙂
Wow – that is one beautiful salad. Love all the flavors and it looks especially appealing on that bread.
Judee recently posted…Fresh Carrot Cake Bars
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I used to be anti peaches with savory food, but that has all changed this summer. We’ve been eating peach salsa like it’s going out of style! This sounds similar but the addition of the whipped goat cheese is a game-changer. And serving this over a crusty baguette? That sounds like a meal in itself…just add a bottle of wine, and I’m all set!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Buffalo Blue Cheese Burgers
Peach salsa! Yum! We could start with that, move on to this, finish up with a peach cobbler, and we’d be all set!
Jeff, this salad looks and sounds amazing! Love the whipped goat cheese- genius!
Thank you!
A “few blocks off of mainstream” — terrific phrase! Terrific dish, too. My kind of food, particularly at this time of the year. Thanks.
John / Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Chimichurri Sauce (or Dip)
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I love “a few blocks off mainstream!” Really, this is summer on a plate and it’s so pretty. I’m not sure what i like more, the salad on its own, or what you did with the leftovers. It’s a tie. 🙂 ~Valentina
It was a tie with me, too! It’s so good on toast!
Now that’s a sexy salad! I never would have thought to put it on ciabatta, but I think I would really love that!
Theresa recently posted…Braised Pork Chops with Pineapple
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the first time I saw peaches paired with tomatoes in salsa. I thought that sounded weird. Of course, we all know by now that tomatoes are actually a fruit, so this pairing makes sense. In texture, sweet-to-tart ratio, juiciness, and color, peaches make excellent friends with fresh tomatoes. I’m a convert. GREG
Awesome!
Lovely recipe😘😘 Regards!
I can see where the sweetness of the peaches would help tame the acidity of the tomatoes! I love how unexpected this salad is. With the heat and humidity we’ve been having, this makes a beautiful lunch. And I love that you had it again on the ciabatta!
Eva Taylor recently posted…Zucchini Rösti
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Jeff, as I make my way back into the blogosphere I’ve landed on your lovely sounding recipe. I actually just yesterday picked peaches off our patio peach tree. I think I have enough to make this as I’ve got to try this as a salad and on toast…
It’s terrific, Ron. I’ve no doubt you’ll love it.
You knocked it out of the ballpark with this one Jeff. It sounds like a great summer salad.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted…Bruges, One Of The Most Beautiful Cities In Europe
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I love tomatoes Jeff and this salad looks delicious !!
gloria Roa Baker recently posted…Mixed Berry Muffins (muffins de berries )
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Whipped goat cheese – that alone sounds delicious. Not sure if the tomatoes or peaches would make it to the plate. However, it is a gorgeous looking salad.
mjskitchen recently posted…Green Chile Cheese Cornbread Pancakes
I know what you mean! This time of year, both are so good eaten out of hand.
A beautiful and unique salad, Jeff! I wish peach season weren’t over… but, maybe I’ll be lucky and there will be peaches in the market this weekend! I know the tomatoes are still going strong…
If you get a chance, have it! Especially on toast. What a treat.
This is delicious! I made this exactly as the recipe. The peaches and tomatoes taste lovely atop the whipped goat cheese. The lovely combination is just the right season to enjoy produce at its best.