Panzanella
Panzanella is a traditional Italian salad that brings together bread and fresh, ripe vegetables, creating a bright and salad that’s bursting with flavor! Perfect for summer picnics or a quick weeknight dinner, this dish combines the heartiness of stale bread with the crunch of garden-fresh produce, dressed in olive oil and vinegar. Trust me, you’ll want to make this dish all summer long!
Ingredients
- 4 cups of stale bread crusts removed and torn into bite-sized pieces (French or sourdough works great!)
- 2 cups of ripe tomatoes chopped (heirloom varieties add a beautiful color)
- 1 cucumber peeled and diced
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced (or use green onions for a milder flavor)
- 1 bell pepper seeded and chopped (any color you like!)
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil torn into pieces (you can use parsley as a substitute)
- 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar white vinegar works too!
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Toast the Bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange your bread pieces on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about 10 minutes, until they are nice and golden. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn! You want them crunchy but not too crispy—it’s all about the balance!
- Chop the Veggies: While the bread is toasting, go ahead and prep your veggies. Chop the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. Don’t stress about making them perfect—this is a rustic dish!
- Mix it All Together: In a large bowl, toss together your chopped veggies, basil, and toasted bread. If you want to get fancy, you can layer them, but I like to just mix it all up!
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Drizzle it over your salad. You could also add a pinch of garlic powder or a squeeze of lemon juice if you’re in the mood for something different!
- Let it Rest: Give everything a gentle toss, cover it (or pop it in the fridge), and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the bread to soak in some of those delicious juices.
- Enjoy: Grab a big bowl, and dig in! You’ll feel like you’re dining al fresco in a quaint Italian cafe, trust me!