Tuscan Bread And Tomato Salad Panzanella Food

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.

PANZANELLA: TUSCAN BREAD SALAD

Steps:

• Submerge the slices of day-old Tuscan-style bread in a bowl of water.
• Use your hands to squeeze out all the water that the bread has absorbed. Break up the bread into small pieces and put into a large bowl.
• Squeeze the cherry tomato juices into a small bowl before adding the tomato halves to the bread mixture.
• Add the red onion, olive oil, and red wine vinegar to the bowl.
• Tear up the basil leaves and toss into the salad mixture. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss well.
• Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for a few hours for all the flavors to come together.

TUSCAN TOMATO & BREAD SALAD

Steps:

• Place the tomatoes and mozzarella in a large bowl. Put the garlic, mustard, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a 1-cup glass measuring cup and slowly whisk in the 1/2 cup of olive oil. Set aside.
• Heat the remaining 1/3 cup of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan until hot but not smoking. Add the bread cubes and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Saute over medium to medium-high heat for 5 to 8 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the bread is evenly browned and crisp. Add the warm bread to the tomatoes and mozzarella. Add enough of the vinaigrette to moisten all the ingredients. Add the basil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss carefully, adding more vinaigrette if necessary. Serve at room temperature.