Tuscan

Summer Panzanella (Bread Salad)

by:
July 28, 2022
5
1 Ratings
Photo by gandalf
  • Prep time 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Cook time 10 minutes
  • Serves 2-3 as a main dish, 4-5 as a side dish
Author Notes

I came up with this recipe by picking and choosing aspects of several different panzanella recipes; this is what works for me. Although it is a "bread salad," the use of fresh, ripe, meaty heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers only recently removed from a garden is what makes this something that especially appeals to me. —gandalf

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 6 ounces sourdough bread: thick sliced, torn into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 2 pounds ripe, meaty heirloom tomatoes: cored, cut into 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch pieces
  • 1 lg. or 2 med. pickling cucumbers: peeled, seeded, diced (makes approx. 1/2 cup)
  • 1/8 med.-lg. red onion: thinly sliced into half-moons, then cut again in half
  • 1-2 ounces crumbled Feta cheese or goat cheese
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine kosher or sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 200F. Place the torn pieces of sourdough bread on a baking sheet and cook for 45-50 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  2. Place the sliced red onion in a small mixing bowl, then add the red wine vinegar and let stand for 10-15 minutes. Remove the red onion from the vinegar with a fork and place the pickled onion slices into a medium mixing bowl.
  3. Add the olive oil, sugar, salt, and pepper to the vinegar in the small mixing bowl; whisk together until the oil and vinegar are emulsified into a vinaigrette, then set aside.
  4. Place the chopped tomatoes (without adding any extra tomato juice) and the diced cucumbers into the medium mixing bowl with the pickled onion slices; then add the bread and crumbled cheese, and mix together. Pour the vinaigrette over the bread mixture, and stir gently to mix.
  5. Serve immediately at room temperature. Any leftovers can be refrigerated, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Starmade
    Starmade
  • gandalf
    gandalf

2 Reviews

Starmade August 10, 2022
Liked this better than other versions i have had though i eased up on the vinegar - but it is simple and basic in the best way and easy to remember - will make again
 
gandalf August 11, 2022
Thanks, glad that you enjoyed it!