Summer Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Delight
Savor the vibrant flavors of summer with this Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Delight. This refreshing Italian bread salad is perfect for gatherings and showcases a medley of juicy heirloom tomatoes, crisp vegetables, and crunchy homemade croutons, all tossed in a zesty vinaigrette. Each incredible bite bursts with the essence of seasonal produce, making it a delightful choice for picnics, barbecues, or light lunches. Ideal for sharing, this dish not only captivates with its colors but also unites friends and family around the table for a shared culinary experience.
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Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
3 tablespoons (for grilling bread)
French bread
1 small loaf (cut into slices)
kosher salt
to taste
heirloom tomatoes
2 (cut into wedges)
red pear tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
1 pint (halved)
cucumber
1 (unpeeled, seeded, and sliced 1/2-inch thick)
red bell pepper
1 (seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes)
yellow bell pepper
1 (seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes)
red onion
1/2 (cut in half and thinly sliced)
basil leaves
20 (coarsely chopped)
capers
3 tablespoons (drained)
garlic
1 teaspoon (finely minced)
Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon
champagne vinegar
3 tablespoons
olive oil
1/2 cup (for vinaigrette)
kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
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1. Begin by preparing the grilled bread. Heat a stove-top grill over medium heat. Brush each slice of French bread generously with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Grill the bread for about 10 minutes on each side, or until it develops golden-brown grill marks. If using a sauté pan, heat oil over low to medium heat, add the bread, sprinkle with salt, and cook while tossing frequently for about 10 minutes until browned. Adjust oil as necessary to avoid sticking.
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2. Next, prepare the vinaigrette. In a medium bowl, vigorously whisk together the minced garlic, Dijon mustard, champagne vinegar, 1/2 cup of olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until emulsified and well-combined.
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3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared heirloom tomatoes, halved red pear or cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, cubes of red and yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced red onion, coarsely chopped basil leaves, and drained capers. Gently toss the vegetables together to ensure even distribution.
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4. Pour the desired amount of vinaigrette over the vegetable mixture and mix gently to moisten everything without mashing the tomatoes. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
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5. Artfully arrange the dressed salad on a large serving platter. Drizzle the grilled bread with any remaining vinaigrette or a little olive oil, and place it on the platter alongside the salad.
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6. For the best flavor, serve immediately, or allow the salad to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld beautifully.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Summer Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Delight?
It is a refreshing Italian bread salad featuring a medley of juicy heirloom tomatoes, crisp vegetables, and crunchy homemade croutons, all tossed in a zesty vinaigrette.
What kind of bread should I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one small loaf of French bread, cut into slices.
How do I prepare the grilled bread croutons?
Brush French bread slices with olive oil and salt, then grill for about 10 minutes per side on a stove-top grill until golden-brown marks appear.
Can I make the bread in a sauté pan instead of a grill?
Yes, heat oil over low to medium heat and cook the bread while tossing frequently for about 10 minutes until browned.
What ingredients are in the zesty vinaigrette?
The vinaigrette consists of minced garlic, Dijon mustard, champagne vinegar, 1/2 cup of olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
What types of tomatoes are used in this Panzanella?
This recipe uses a combination of two heirloom tomatoes cut into wedges and one pint of halved red pear or cherry tomatoes.
How should the cucumber be prepared?
The cucumber should be kept unpeeled, but it needs to be seeded and sliced into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
What vegetables are included in the salad mixture?
The salad includes heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and red onion.
Are there any herbs in this salad?
Yes, the recipe calls for 20 fresh basil leaves that are coarsely chopped.
What adds a briny flavor to the dish?
Three tablespoons of drained capers are added to the vegetable mixture for a burst of salty flavor.
How do I ensure the vinaigrette is properly mixed?
Vigorously whisk the ingredients in a medium bowl until the mixture is emulsified and well-combined.
Should I peel the red onion?
The recipe doesn't explicitly state to peel it, but typically red onions are peeled before being cut in half and thinly sliced.
What size should I cut the bell peppers?
Both the red and yellow bell peppers should be seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes.
How should the salad be assembled?
Combine vegetables, herbs, and capers in a large bowl, pour the vinaigrette over them, and gently toss to moisten everything.
How do I serve the bread with the salad?
Artfully arrange the dressed salad on a platter and place the grilled bread alongside it, drizzled with extra vinaigrette or olive oil.
Can I serve this salad immediately?
Yes, you can serve it immediately, but for the best flavor, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes so the flavors can meld.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains only bread, vegetables, and oil-based dressing.
What type of vinegar is recommended?
Champagne vinegar is used to provide a light and zesty flavor to the dressing.
How much olive oil is needed in total?
You will need 3 tablespoons for grilling the bread and an additional 1/2 cup for the vinaigrette.
Is it okay if the tomatoes get mashed?
No, you should mix the salad gently to moisten the ingredients without mashing the juicy tomatoes.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
The recipe highlights the 'essence of seasonal produce,' so fresh basil leaves are highly recommended for the best flavor.
What makes this dish a 'summer' delight?
It features seasonal summer ingredients like heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil, making it perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
How long does the bread need to cook?
The bread needs about 10 minutes per side if grilling, or 10 minutes total if tossing in a sauté pan.
What is the best way to slice the heirloom tomatoes?
They should be cut into wedges to showcase their color and retain their juice.
Does the recipe include salt and pepper?
Yes, it uses kosher salt for the bread and dressing, plus 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper in the vinaigrette.
Can I adjust the amount of dressing?
Yes, the instructions suggest pouring the 'desired amount' of vinaigrette over the vegetables and tasting to adjust seasoning.
Is Dijon mustard necessary for the dressing?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, which helps emulsify the vinaigrette and adds a subtle tang.
What is the ideal occasion for this dish?
It is an ideal choice for picnics, barbecues, or light lunches because it is easy to share and refreshing.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of finely minced garlic, which is approximately one large clove.
Can I store this salad for long periods?
While it can sit for 30 minutes to meld flavors, Panzanella is best served fresh as the bread will eventually become overly soggy.