Italian Grandma Makes Tomato Salad with Bread - PANZANELLA

stale bread

🥗Healthier: whole grain bread

💰Cheaper: day-old bread

Whole grain bread adds fiber, while day-old bread is often less expensive.

ripe tomatoes

🥗Healthier: heirloom tomatoes

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Heirloom tomatoes offer unique flavors, while canned tomatoes are budget-friendly.

red onion

🥗Healthier: green onion

💰Cheaper: white onion

Green onion provides a milder taste, while white onion is often cheaper.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while vegetable oil is more affordable.

Pick ripe tomatoes and string beans from the garden.

Gather ingredients for the salad: tomatoes, cucumber, basil, garlic, red onion, and bread.

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the bread and place it in the oven to toast until crunchy, watching closely to avoid burning.

Slice the tomatoes and cucumber into chunks.

Thinly slice the red onion and garlic.

Check the bread in the oven to ensure it is crunchy and not burnt.

Let the toasted bread cool down before adding it to the salad.

Combine the sliced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and garlic in a bowl.

Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar.

Let the salad sit for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the juices to form.

Add the toasted bread to the salad and mix gently to combine.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary