Panzanella Salad with Saganaki – Italy meets Greece in this juicy tomato salad with crispy fried Greek cheese.
For the first time ever, I spotted saganaki cheese in the supermarket! Yay!
One of my very early memories from when Chris and I were first going out, was our trip to Rhodes in Greece. We hired a little suzuki jimny and drove around the island, taking in the sights.
I remember seeing an old lady tending to her tomato plants, then plucking a few of the large juicy tomatoes out of her bucket and squeezing the juice into her mouth for a bit of refreshment on a sweltering day.
We fed the scraggly little kittens at the harbour just outside of Rhodes old town.
We walked up the steps to the acropolis in Lindos and we drove to little market stalls that sold a very, very strong boozy honey spirit.
….and then we ate that beautifully simple dish of fried saganaki with a sprinkle of lemon juice, whilst sitting in a tiny little shabby cafe that smelled of chips.
Blissful memories.
I can still remember the taste of the saganaki, and I’ve thought about making it at home so many times over the years.
Unfortunately, no matter where I shopped, I just couldn’t find the right cheese.
I’ve heard suggestions from people to use halloumi, and although I love fried halloumi (erm halloumi burgers? yesss!), it’s just not right for saganaki.
The cheese needs to be one that has a high melting point, but still softens during cooking, whilst going crispy on the outside. It needs to retain its shape, but still be smooth and a little chewy. It also needs to be salty.
I finally found Kafalotyri cheese in Ocado, and the feeling was akin to that feeling when you put on your too-tight jeans and they fit perfectly.
(Although it you eat too much of this stuff that ain’t gonna happen!)
When I found it, I was reminded of that little old lady with her tomatoes, and it just felt like the perfect combination. A juicy tomato and bread salad with chunks of salty saganaki.
Yum x 1 million.
The Panzanella Salad with Saganaki Recipe:
Panzanella Salad with Saganaki
Ingredients
- 400 g mixed colour tomatoes – take out of the fridge for an hour to come up to room temperature for maximum flavour.
- Large pinch of freshly ground salt and pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 slices of ciabatta bread cut into cubes
- 200 g Kefalotyri* Greek cheese, sliced into 1-inch squares
- 2 tbsp plain/all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- ¼ red onion peeled and very thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- Dressing:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ½ tsp caster sugar
- ½ a clove of garlic peeled and minced
Instructions
- Chop the tomatoes and mix with the salt and pepper – leave for 10-15 minutes to release their juices.
- Heat 2 tbsp of the olive oil in a frying pan, and place the bread cubes in. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper and toast each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the pan and turn off the heat.
- Mix the dressing ingredients together in a small jug.
- Place the toasted ciabatta chunks in a serving bowl. Mix in the tomatoes – juices as well. Drizzle on half of the dressing and toss to ensure the bread mixes with the dressing. Leave for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to develop and for the bread to soak up the liquid.
- Put the pan back on the heat again and add the remaining oil. Heat until hot. Dredge the Kefalotyri chunks in the flour, then place in the hot pan. Fry, turning once for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown. Turn off the heat and sprinkle on the lemon juice. Add the cheese to the salad.
- Top the salad with slices of red onion. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hoping I can find some saganki when I go shopping later. Got some friends over for lunch tomorrow and I know they will love this.
I love your idea of the Greek fried cheese in your salad! The photo is all inspiring I must say. I do apologize however that I must correct something here… you see “saganaki” means skillet in Greece and the cheese you are referring to is called Kefalograviera. So what you are referring to is Kefalograviera saganaki! Don’t worry it is a very common mistake, but as a Greek chef I am always compelled to make that notation!
Thanks Cosmas, I didn’t realise that saganaki means skillet 🙂
Wow, this looks beautiful! Such a gorgeous looking salad 🙂
Thanks Charlie 🙂