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5.0 from 6 votes

Panzanella salad

Panzanella is an easy, hearty salad that's a great way to make the most of fresh tomatoes and use up some leftover bread. 

Prep Time
10 mins
rest time (approx)
20 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 2 (as
Calories: 299 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Lunch
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 2 oz bread 60g, around 1 ½ - 2 cups (see notes)
  • 2 tomatoes (around 7oz/200g)
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt (approx)
  • ¼ red onion or 1 shallot
  • ½ Persian cucumber (or approx ¼ - ⅓ English cucumber, optional)
  • 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon wine vinegar eg champagne vinegar
  • 5 basil leaves

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. If the bread is not already relatively dry and stale, cut it into slices and leave overnight to dry, if you have time, or else place on a baking sheet in a low oven for a few minutes, turning now and then to dry out (but not go brown). Then continue with the rest fo the steps.
  2. Dice the bread in small bite-sized chunks (around ½in/1cm square) and lay in a layer in a wide bowl (a double layer is fine). Dice the tomatoes in roughly the same size then add them to the bowl on top, along with any juices that collect. Sprinkle over the salt and set the bowl aside.
  3. Thinly slice the red onion/shallot and cut the cucumber piece in half lengthwise then slice. Add both to the bowl with the bread and tomato and drizzle over the oil and vinegar. Mix everything together. I prefer to mix by hand so you can help ease the juices out of the tomato but with a spoon is also good.
  4. Slice up the basil and add to the bowl. Gently toss then leave the salad to sit around 20 minutes, ideally, before eating to let the flavors mingle (you can also leave a little longer in the fridge).

Notes

  • Traditionally this uses unsalted bread, but ciabatta, sourdough or a baguette would all work as well.
  • Red onion is the best fit flavor wise as it becomes more sweet (plus the color is a nice contrast), but shallot or a sweet onion would work as an alternative.

Nutrition Information

Calories 299kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 22g (34%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Sodium 299mg (12%) Potassium 375mg (11%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 1092IU (22%) Vitamin C 19mg (21%) Calcium 33mg (3%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2(as

Amount Per Serving

Calories 299

% Daily Value*

Calories 299kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 22g 34%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Sodium 299mg 12%
Potassium 375mg 8%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 1092IU 22%
Vitamin C 19mg 21%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.