I've been avoiding this recipe for one simple reason...I knew I would love it. No, I'm not a masochist, I just have no self control. This recipe has so many things I love...tomatoes, cucumbers, bread, onions, basil, bread, capers, bread...Since I came home from visiting my parents with enough tomatoes to feed an army and a few cucumbers, it seemed providential that this was the recipe for this week.
Panzanella
by Ina Garten
Barefoot Parties
3 Tbs olive oil
1 small loaf French bread cut into 1 inch cubes
1 tsp kosher salt
2 large ripe tomatoes cut into 1 inch cubes
1 cucumber unpeeled, seeded, sliced 1/2 inch thick*
1 red bell pepper seeded and cut into 1 inch cubes
1 yellow bell pepper seeded and cut into 1 inch cubes
1/2 red onion thinly sliced
20 large basil leaves coarsely chopped
3 Tbs capers drained
Vinaigrette:
1 tsp finely minced garlic
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbs champagne vinegar
1/2 c olive oil*
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Heat the oil in a large saute pan and add the bread and the salt. Cook over low to medium heat tossing frequently for 10 minutes or until nicely browned. Add more oil if needed.
Whisk together the vinaigrette and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, red onion, basil and capers. Add the bread cubes and toss with the vinaigrette. Salt and pepper if needed.
Like most Ina recipes, I halved this one had enough for four large servings. Since I was only making a half recipe, I only used a red pepper. I peeled my garden fresh cucumber and used extra virgin olive oil for the vinaigrette. I really did not think it needed any additional seasoning.
The next time I make this (and I will make this again), I will use less onion. It just seemed a bit overpowering.
Check out the what the other Barefoot Bloggers had to say about this recipe here.
15 comments:
How great that your parents send you home with produce!
The salad looks great. I'm glad you liked it too.
I cut down on the onion because we aren't big raw onion fans. How wonderful that you were able to come home with enough produce to feed an army! Your salad looks delicious! Definitely a keeper!
Your panzanella looks gorgeous with all of those big cucumber and tomato chunks, yum! I'm kicking myself for forgetting the tomato, I bet it really made this dish.
I wish I had home grown vegetables. I laughed when you said this recipe has so many things you love...then you listed every one! I could eat this every night! And, I agree with your Rachael Ray comment, I can NEVER make her recipes in 30 minutes!
You're so lucky to have someone give you fresh produce! How I wish I could garden. I agree this salad has everything I love-I'm making it again this weekend!
I'm jealous of your fresh produce - the salad looks great!
Wasn't this amazing? I loved it. Your version looks delicious- I wish I had some leftover, but it disappeared!
Mm.. isn't homegrown stuff just the best? I'm glad you liked it and are planning on making it again. I am too! Easy clean up too!
~The Cat's Pajamas
Oh, the delicious, olive-oil soaked bread. Crap! I know I'm going to be craving it in January. ;)
Lucky woman! This looks so good and knowing the produce is fresh makes it look even better.
Ugg...I lack self control too!
The fresh garden tomatoes must have been amazing. I too already have plans to make this again.
We loved this too! I bet yours was fabulous with all your fresh garden vegies. Yum!
Oh, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers! YUM! What a beautiful picture of your salad and you know, all those fresh veggies are yummy and healthy. My problem was that I couldn't keep away from nibbling on those bread croutons that were in the salad. Very tasty!
It is funny, our grocery stores are all competing in baking artisian breads. This is relatively new, as in the last 6 months and a huge hit in our area.
I love fresh cucumbers. Your salad looks great!
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