Description
This Panzanella Salad features crusty bread, ripe tomatoes, refreshing cucumber, and a zesty dressing, making it an easy and fulfilling choice for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups crusty bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (day old works best)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cucumber, chopped
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup fresh mozzarella pearls (or chopped mozzarella)
- ¼ cup fresh basil, torn
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for toasting bread)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden and crisp outside but slightly soft inside. Remove and allow to cool slightly.
- While the bread is toasting, prepare the vegetables: slice the cherry tomatoes in half, chop the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and tear the basil leaves. Cut mozzarella into bite-sized pieces if using large mozzarella.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until combined and slightly emulsified.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, mozzarella, and basil.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly, being careful not to over mix to keep the bread's texture.
- Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the bread to absorb the flavors.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or a drizzle of olive oil, if needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
Using day-old bread helps absorb the dressing better without becoming too soggy.
Allowing the salad to rest enhances the flavors as the bread absorbs the dressing.
Feel free to customize with additional vegetables or proteins e.g., grilled chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg