Serves a Crowd

Tomato, Peach, Chèvre, and Herb Salad with Apple Vinaigrette

by:
July 21, 2016
4.5
6 Ratings
Photo by Julia Gartland. Food Stylist: Lauren LaPenna. Prop Stylist: Brooke Deonarine.
  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Serves 2 to 4
Author Notes

This glorious salad is summer on a plate. The tomatoes and peaches pair beautifully and are elevated by the herbs, shallots, cheese and vinaigrette.

Use the best tomatoes you can find, and do not refrigerate them before using. Please—you will kill all their flavor and mar their texture. Use a young chèvre if you can, but really, any good goat cheese will do. If you're growing herbs in your garden, use those. They will taste more delicious than anything you buy. And use a ripe peach but not one that is remotely mushy.

*Take the goat cheese out of the fridge about a half hour before you make this salad.
Serve this at room temperature. —em-i-lis

Test Kitchen Notes

This recipe is featured in a story sponsored by Cakebread Cellars.

YES! I absolutely love the combination of peaches and tomatoes. I used gorgeous heirlooms and they really shined in this dish. It came together super-fast, was stunning, and was better than any Caprese. I would make this time and again in the height of tomato season. I would have liked to have had a bit more instruction on the cutting the tomatoes and herbs—the best way to cut the tomatoes to make the salad easiest to eat and still pretty. I cut them into eighths so they were still thin but not just slices.

I did not get the Apple Basalmic Vinegar (though I am sure it is delicious), but I used Champagne Vinegar instead, and it was really nice. I don't think you need to go to Williams-Sonoma to get the special vinegar to make this salad shine. It does just fine on its own! —figgypudding

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Ingredients
  • 3 ripe tomatoes (heirloom or regular)
  • 1 ripe peach, peeled, pitted and sliced
  • as much fresh goat cheese as you like
  • small handful fresh thyme, basil and chives; washed and chives chopped
  • 1 tablespoon peeled and diced shallots
  • equal parts extra virgin olive oil and Granny Smith Apple Balsamic Vinegar (from Williams-Sonoma); use white Balsamic and/or champagne vinegar if you can't/don't want to get the apple vinegar
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
  1. Slice the tomatoes and lay them on a platter. Slide the peach slivers in and around the tomatoes and then sprinkle the goat cheese, herbs and shallots all over the top.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil and vinegar and season well with salt and pepper. Drizzle all over the salad and enjoy!

See what other Food52ers are saying.

11 Reviews

Corinne July 7, 2022
Definitely one of my favorites!
em-i-lis July 7, 2022
Thank you, Corinne!
Ceramic July 5, 2022
Made this yesterday for Fourth of July bbq. It got gobbled up— first thing to be finished, ahead of all the other salads. Used regular balsamic vinaigrette and as the author said the quality tomatoes, peaches I could find. In a California it can be weirdly tricky to find good peaches— right now a type called Regina, available at farmers markets, is ripe and perfect.
em-i-lis July 7, 2022
I'm so thrilled y'all enjoyed this! :) Thank you!
Amy S. August 24, 2017
I went to Williams Sonoma and they didn't have the vinegar, so I got the Champagne Vinegar. This salad was so refreshing and lovely that it is now in my summer rotation of salads to impress others.
em-i-lis August 25, 2017
Sadly, I think W-S has stopped making the granny smith vinegar. But I'm thrilled that the champagne vinegar worked so well for you and that you love this. Thanks so much for letting me know. Happy summer!
Sara J. June 30, 2019
I think you may be able to get it or something similar online from Baker + Olive
Cheryl August 4, 2017
What's not to like? I used the champagne vinegar. Forgot to add in the shallots the first time but put in for the second batch. The jury is still out on whether the shallots are needed.
em-i-lis August 12, 2017
I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Cheryl!! Thank you! So funny- another friend just wrote me and said "the shallots are essential!" :) To each her own. All best, Emily
judy August 20, 2016
This one sounds delish-ous and very refreshing. I'm going to give it a try. Love all the ingredients, and would never have thought of it. A great jumping--off point for "no recipe' type salads and summer no cook sides. Asparagus pieces, other fruits, lemon or lime citrus dressing, or dill...on and on. Endless inspiration thanks em-i-lis. Have a great summer--enjoy the harvest!
em-i-lis August 20, 2016
Thanks so much, Judy! It's a summer staple over here. Hope you love it, and yes, it's "ripe" for creative adjustments. :) Happy summer, Emily