Imagine a dish that captures the essence of Italian countryside summers in just one bite - crisp bread, juicy tomatoes, and a tantalizing dressing that transports you straight to a sun-drenched Mediterranean terrace. This Tomato and Bread Salad, known as "Panzanella" in Italy, is not just a recipe; it's a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into a symphony of flavors that will revolutionize your summer dining.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 large tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups stale bread, cubed
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Wash and prepare all fresh produce. Dice the tomatoes into bite-sized chunks, removing the core and seeds if desired.
- Cut the cucumber into similar-sized pieces as the tomatoes, ensuring uniform size for better texture and presentation.
- Thinly slice the red onion into delicate half-rings or quarter rings to distribute flavor evenly throughout the salad.
- If using fresh bread, cut it into small cubes and let sit out for 15-30 minutes to slightly dry out. If using stale bread, proceed directly to next step.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bread cubes.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to ensure all components are well-coated.
- Let the salad rest for 10 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld and bread to slightly absorb the dressing.
- Chop fresh parsley and sprinkle over the top just before serving for added freshness and color.
- Serve immediately at room temperature as a refreshing side dish or light lunch.
Tips
- Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes for maximum flavor intensity
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread for the best texture absorption
- Let the salad rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld
- For extra depth, consider adding fresh basil or oregano alongside parsley
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for a more authentic taste
- Experiment with different bread types like ciabatta or sourdough for unique variations
- Ensure all vegetables are cut to similar sizes for consistent texture and presentation
- Serve at room temperature to enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 174kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
