Categorized:

  • Appetizers & Salads
  • Healthy
  • Pasta & Italian
  • Sides & Sauces

Tagged:

  • balsamic vinegar
  • basil
  • bread
  • cucumber
  • garlic
  • mozzarella
  • olive oil
  • parsley
  • tomatoes
Panzanella salad in a white bowl over a wooden tray with a purple cloth and fresh basil and tomatoes shown to the sides. - 1

Panzanella

Ingredients

  • 6 cups (8 oz) ciabatta, baguette or sourdough bread, stale, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided, or more to taste
  • 3 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar*
  • 2 tsp minced garlic (2 cloves)
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1 1/2 lbs. tomatoes, such as Campari and grape tomatoes, cut into bite size pieces or halved
  • 10 oz (about 1/2) English cucumber, halved, seeded and sliced
  • 1/2 cup thin sliced red onion (1/2 of 1 small)
  • 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls (or a round cut into small cubes)
  • 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  • For the bread cubes: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Drizzle 2 Tbsp olive oil onto one half side of an 18 by 13-inch baking sheet. Pour bread cubes over and rub and toss bread cubes in the olive oil to soak it all up and to evenly coat them.
  • Bake bread cubes in preheated oven until golden brown and crips, tossing once halfway through baking, for about 15 minutes total. Remove and set aside to cool.
  • For the dressing: In a mixing bowl whisk together remaining 6 Tbsp olive oil, the vinegar, garlic, dijon mustard and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • For the salad: To a large salad bowl add tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and mozzarella. Whisk dressing again and pour over, then gently toss. If desired add a little more olive oil if needed.
  • Add toasted bread cubes, basil and parsley and toss. For crisp toasted bread serve shortly after preparing, if you want it softer let it rest in the fridge for a few hours.

Notes

  • *If you want a more mild lightly sweet dressing use white balsamic vinegar, if you want it to have more zip and a bit more tartness use white wine vinegar (or red wine vinegar).

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