Panzanella
A Rustic Italian bread salad. In the world of Italian cuisine, panzanella stands out as a refreshing and flavorsome dish that encapsulates the essence of Mediterranean flavors. This iconic bread salad has been cherished for centuries, known for its simple yet vibrant combination of ingredients. Panzanella has its roots in Tuscany, Italy, where it was born out of a need to utilize stale bread while making the most of locally available ingredients. Over time, the dish evolved, and its popularity spread beyond the borders of Tuscany, becoming a staple on menus around the world.
Ingredients
- ½ small loaf of Italian bread day old
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes mix heirloom, cherry, etc.
- 1 red onion sliced
- 1 ball fresh mozzarella
- fresh basil
- ¼ cup olive oil plus more to roast the bread
- 1 lemon
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Chop the old bread into cubes. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil and salt. Bake for 5 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
- Chop the tomatoes, red onion, mozzarella, and basil. Place them in a large bowl together with the toasted bread.
- Make the dressing: whisk together the olive oil, juice of the lemon, salt and pepper.
- Add the dressing to the salad and toss to combine.