Kumquats Panzanella Bread And Tomato Salad Food

PANZANELLA (BREAD AND TOMATO SALAD)

Steps:

• Chop the tomatoes and combine them in a bowl with the salt. This will draw some of the liquid out of the tomatoes, making a more flavorful dressing for the bread to absorb.
• Toast your bread slices or bake them at 300F for 15 minutes. I ran a regular toast cycle and simply left the bread inside to dry for more time while I prepped the rest of the ingredients.
• In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, vinegar and optional minced garlic.
• Chop your vegetables and add them to the bowl with the tomatoes: cucumber, green pepper, onion. You can dice or slice the onion based on whether you prefer the onion concentrated or spread through the salad.
• Tear or chiffonade the basil leaves (again a matter of personal preference), and add them to the bowl.
• Tear the bread into small chunks and add to the salad bowl. Mix everything to allow the tomato juices to enter the bread. It's fine if the bread chunks are still warm.
• Add the olive oil-vinegar-garlic dressing and optional bread crumbs, and toss again.
• Season with fresh ground black pepper and serve.

PANZANELLA (ITALIAN BREAD SALAD)

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, garlic and basil.
• Drizzle with the 1/2 cup olive oil and the 3 tblsps vinegar, season with salt and pepper and toss well.
• Place half of the bread in a wide, shallow bowl.
• Spoon half of the tomato mixture over the bread.
• Layer the remaining bread on top and then the remaining tomato mixture.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Just before serving, toss the salad and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
• If the bread seems dry, add a little oil or vinegar.
• Serve immediately.

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO PANZANELLA: BREAD SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss bread cubes with garlic, olive oil, butter, and salt and pepper. Cook in preheated oven for ten minutes or until lightly brown and crispy. set aside to cool slightly.
• Toss eggplant with olive oil, melted butter, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Roast in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until tender and golden brown.
• To make viniagrette: combine balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
• To prepare salad: combine tomatoes, eggplant, bread, and mozzarella. Toss with vinaigrette and garnish with herbs.