Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad)
The best way to use leftover bread.
Ingredients
Salad Components
- baguettes1
- cherry tomatoesa handful
- red onions1/4
- fresh basila handful
- parmigiano reggiano, shavedfor garnish
- saltto taste
Tomato Vinaigrette
- balsamic vinegar5 ga splash
- olive oil45 ga few spoonfuls
- cherry tomato juicesfrom salting
- garlic, minced1 clove
- black pepperto taste
FAQ
While a baguette works best for this recipe, any high-quality leftover bread will do.
Adjust the ingredient ratios to your preference (this is a salad, after all!).
Ethan Chlebowski
Method
Step 1: Prep the bread
Preheat the oven to 350°F/176°C.
Slice the baguette into cubes and toss onto a baking sheet. Slide into the preheated oven and for 15 minutes.
The cubes should be toasted but still have a slight chew to them. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Step 2: Salt the tomatoes
Meanwhile, slice the cherry tomatoes in half using the deli container trick:
- Get out two deli container lids, place the tomatoes on one, and add the other lid to the top. Slice in between the lids with a sharp knife.
Toss the tomatoes into a bowl with a generous pinch of . Let sit for at least 15 minutes. This will release the juices from the tomatoes which will be used in the dressing.
While waiting, thinly slice the red onion into half-moons and roughly chop or tear the basil into pieces.
Step 3: Make the vinaigrette
Strain & reserve any liquid that has come out of the salting tomatoes.
In a sealable container, combine those tomato juices with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, grated garlic, and black pepper. Place a lid on the container and shake until .
Taste and adjust with more vinegar if needed, or extra oil if you want it thicker.
Step 4: Assemble & enjoy
Add the toasted bread, onions, and basil to the tomatoes and toss together.
Pour the vinaigrette over the top and mix well. Let the salad sit for 15-30 minutes to allow the juices to soak into the bread and improve its texture.
Before serving, taste and adjust with more salt or pepper as needed. Shave over some Parmigiano Reggiano as a garnish, and enjoy.
While a baguette works best for this recipe, any high-quality leftover bread will do.
Adjust the ingredient ratios to your preference (this is a salad, after all!).
Ethan Chlebowski
Ingredients
Salad Components
- baguettes1
- cherry tomatoesa handful
- red onions1/4
- fresh basila handful
- parmigiano reggiano, shavedfor garnish
- saltto taste
Tomato Vinaigrette
- balsamic vinegar5 ga splash
- olive oil45 ga few spoonfuls
- cherry tomato juicesfrom salting
- garlic, minced1 clove
- black pepperto taste
Method
Step 1: Prep the bread
Preheat the oven to 350°F/176°C.
Slice the baguette into cubes and toss onto a baking sheet. Slide into the preheated oven and for 15 minutes.
The cubes should be toasted but still have a slight chew to them. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Step 2: Salt the tomatoes
Meanwhile, slice the cherry tomatoes in half using the deli container trick:
- Get out two deli container lids, place the tomatoes on one, and add the other lid to the top. Slice in between the lids with a sharp knife.
Toss the tomatoes into a bowl with a generous pinch of . Let sit for at least 15 minutes. This will release the juices from the tomatoes which will be used in the dressing.
While waiting, thinly slice the red onion into half-moons and roughly chop or tear the basil into pieces.
Step 3: Make the vinaigrette
Strain & reserve any liquid that has come out of the salting tomatoes.
In a sealable container, combine those tomato juices with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, grated garlic, and black pepper. Place a lid on the container and shake until .
Taste and adjust with more vinegar if needed, or extra oil if you want it thicker.
Step 4: Assemble & enjoy
Add the toasted bread, onions, and basil to the tomatoes and toss together.
Pour the vinaigrette over the top and mix well. Let the salad sit for 15-30 minutes to allow the juices to soak into the bread and improve its texture.
Before serving, taste and adjust with more salt or pepper as needed. Shave over some Parmigiano Reggiano as a garnish, and enjoy.
