Teresa's Recipes
Panzanella
Experience a taste of Italy with this traditional Panzanella recipe. This rustic bread salad is a symphony of fresh, vibrant flavors that come together to create a dish that's both hearty and refreshing. Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and a zesty red onion are mixed with crusty stale bread that soaks up the tangy dressing, resulting in a textural masterpiece. With every bite, you'll be transported to a sunny Tuscan piazza. Great for summertime gatherings, this dish truly shines when made with peak-season produce.
Ingredients
- 4 cups, torn into bite-size pieces Stale bread
- 4 large, cut into chunks Tomatoes
- 2 medium, peeled, seeded and sliced Cucumbers
- 1 small, thinly sliced Red onion
- 1 cup, loosely packed and torn Basil leaves
- 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground, or to taste Black pepper
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 4
- Dish Type: Salad
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Rest Time: 10 minutes
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 24g
- Carbs: 40g
- Protein: 7g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Sugar: 6g
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss together the stale bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and torn basil leaves.
- In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the bread mixture. Toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Allow the salad to sit for at least 10 minutes. This helps the bread soak up the dressing and the flavors to meld together. For a softer texture, let it sit for longer.
- Give the salad one final toss before serving. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the panzanella salad as a light lunch or as a side dish.
Tips
- For the best results, use a hearty bread like a sourdough or a Tuscan loaf.
- The salad can be prepared a couple of hours in advance - it gets better as it sits and the flavors blend together.
- Feel free to add additional ingredients like mozzarella balls or grilled chicken for extra protein.