Description
Embark on a Mediterranean journey with this vibrant Panzanella salad, bursting with juicy heirloom tomatoes, aromatic basil, and crunchy bread. Perfect for summer gatherings or as a delightful side dish, this salad is not only visually stunning but also a celebration of fresh flavors. Easy to prepare and customizable, it’s a must-try for any occasion that calls for sunshine on your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups stale crusty bread (ciabatta or baguette), cubed
- 3 cups ripe heirloom tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup cucumber (English), sliced
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons high-quality balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Cube stale bread and lightly spritz with water if too hard; toast until golden brown.
- Chop the Veggies: Dice tomatoes and slice cucumber and red onion thinly for a colorful mix.
- Toss Together Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and torn basil leaves.
- Add Bread Cubes: Gently fold in the toasted bread cubes to soak up juices.
- Create Dressing: Whisk together olive oil and balsamic vinegar; drizzle over the salad while tossing gently.
- Season & Serve: Add salt and pepper to taste; let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No cooking required
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: For extra flavor, consider adding olives or mozzarella cheese. Customize your salad with seasonal vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. Mix ingredients just before serving to maintain freshness.