Fresh Garden Vegetable Italian Panzanella - Martha Stewart

stale bread

🥗Healthier: whole grain bread

💰Cheaper: day-old bread

Whole grain bread adds fiber while day-old bread is more economical.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is a healthier fat, while vegetable oil is often less expensive.

red wine vinegar

🥗Healthier: apple cider vinegar

💰Cheaper: white vinegar

Apple cider vinegar offers a different flavor profile, while white vinegar is budget-friendly.

Grill day old bread until brown on both sides using a stove top griddle or over a fire.

Peel and cut cucumbers in half lengthwise, removing most of the seeds.

Slice cucumbers into 1/4 inch slices and set aside.

Smash 2 cloves of garlic, remove the outer skin, and rub the smashed garlic onto the surface of the toasted bread.

Chop the rubbed garlic and add it to the salad bowl.

Cut 2 lbs of ripe beef steak tomatoes into cubes about 1/2 inch in size and add to the bowl with garlic.

Thinly slice 1 red onion and add it to the bowl.

Season the mixture with salt and pepper, but do not add salt to the cucumbers.

Add cucumbers on top of the mixture without mixing.

Drizzle 5 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar over the salad and let it sit for about 1 hour.

Break the bread into chunks and mix it into the salad after it has sat for an hour.

Add 1 cup of packed basil leaves, torn or chopped, to the salad and mix gently.

Serve the salad while the bread is still crunchy.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens