Panzanella-Italian Tomato and Bread Salad

By amaliana

Ingredients

• 5 cups firmly packed 1-inch bread cubes from French or Italian bread
• 3/4 cup olive oil, divided use
• 6 garlic cloves, minced, divided use
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 large ripe tomatoes, cored, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cucumber, peeled if necessary, halved, seeded, and sliced
• 1/4 small red onion, diced
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 to 2 cups salad greens
• 1/2 cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the bread cubes on the foil.

Combine 1/3 cup of the olive oil, 3 of the garlic cloves, salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk well. Sprinkle the oil over the bread cubes, and toss to coat evenly. Bake the cubes for 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, and turn the cubes with a slotted spatula. Bake for an additional 2 to 4 minutes, or until the cubes are browned. Remove the cubes from the oven, and set aside.

Combine the tomatoes, cucumber and red onion in a salad bowl. Combine the vinegar, remaining garlic, mustard, salt and pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, and shake well. Add the remaining oil, and shake well again. Pour the dressing over the vegetables, and stir gently.

Add the bread cubes to the bowl, and toss with the dressing and greens. Allow the salad to sit for 30 minutes to blend the flavors. To serve, arrange the greens on individual plates or a platter, and top with the salad. Place basil leaves opn top.

Note: Croutons can be prepared up to 2 weeks in advance and kept at room temperature in an airtight container. The salad should not be prepared more than 2 hours in advance.

Variations:
For a Greek-style salad, substitute 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill for the basil, and add 2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese and 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives to the salad.

Substitute fresh oregano for basil.

Substitute olive bread, herb bread or cheese bread for the plain bread.

Add 1 roasted red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, and diced, to the salad.

Add some diced, cooked chicken or fish to the salad.