Grilled Panzanella Salad with Whipped Feta
Crisp & smokey grilled bread, tangy marinated peppers, and a dollop of creamy whipped feta on top to bring it all together. Elegant, naturally vegetarian, and easy to make gluten-free or dairy-free.
Ingredients
- 1 small loaf sourdough bread or gluten-free alternative
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing
- 1 1 lb bag mini sweet peppers halved and deseeded
- Fresh basil leaves torn for serving
For Pepper Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 small clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil finely chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
For Whipped Feta:
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
- 3 oz cream cheese or dairy-free substitute
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup for vegan
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Grill the Bread: Brush bread with oil and grill over medium-high heat (375–400°F) for 60–90 seconds per side, until golden and crisp with light char. Set aside to cool slightly, then tear or cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Grill the Peppers: Toss peppers with olive oil and grill cut-side down for 5–6 minutes per side, or until tender and charred. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then slice into strips.
- Marinate the Peppers: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Add grilled peppers and toss well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Make the Whipped Feta: Add feta, cream cheese, olive oil, honey, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt to a food processor. Blend on high for 1–2 minutes, scraping down the sides, until smooth and creamy. Chill until ready to use.
- Assemble the Salad: Toss grilled bread with marinated peppers and their juices. Spoon onto a platter, dollop with whipped feta, and top with torn fresh basil. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Watch the Bread Closely: Grilled bread cooks fast! Keep an eye on it to prevent burning. 60–90 seconds per side is usually perfect.
- Storage: Store marinated peppers and grilled bread separately in the fridge for up to 2 days. Once assembled this salad is best served fresh. Whipped feta keeps for up to 5 days.
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free crusty bread, like Schär’s Deli-Style Bread (Can be found at Walmart!).
- Nutritional Estimates are approximate and will vary according to specific ingredients and amounts used.
Nutrition
Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 9gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!