family favorite panzanella salad
Italian Panzanella Salad or Bread Salad is an awesome way to use up any day-old dinner rolls or bakery hamburger buns you may have. Serve as a side salad or lay sliced, grilled chicken breasts or grilled jumbo shrimp on top for a quick and delicious meal. I make this salad by the seat of my pants most of the time. Meaning, adjust the seasonings and ingredients to your liking. Unlike most salads, the croutons, and not the lettuce, are the star of the show. If you love garlic croutons, this salad is for you.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
This refreshing panzanella salad is delish. It has a light, tangy dressing and crunchy homemade seasoned croutons that are absolutely delightful with the mixture of fresh veggies. Bits of soft mozzarella in every bite make the salad irresistible and sophisticated. It's a quick and easy summertime salad. When served, your guests or family will be very impressed.
Ingredients
- DRESSING
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard (any brown mustard will do)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- - a few turns of freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 tablespoons light tasting olive oil, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar, or to taste
- HOMEMADE CROUTONS
- 4 cups day old dinner rolls or bakery hamburger buns, cut in 1" cubes
- - light tasting olive oil, drizzled
- - salt, to taste
- - cracked pepper, to taste
- - oregano, to taste
- - thyme, to taste
- - garlic powder, to taste
- SALAD
- 1 - container of cherry tomatoes, halved (multi-color are nice)
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup red onion
- 2-3 cloves garlic, mashed with the side of a knife
- 1/4-1/2 cup cup banana pepper rings
- 2 teaspoons banana pepper ring juice
- 1/2 tablespoon oregano
- 1/2 tablespoon thyme
- pinch red pepper flakes
- - shredded carrot for color, optional
- 2 - small handfuls of chopped romaine lettuce (in this salad, lettuce is just for color, not the main ingredient)
How To Make family favorite panzanella salad
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Step 1Preheat oven to 350 degrees. -
Step 2Cut buns into large 1" cubes.
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Step 3Drizzle liberally with olive oil and toss to coat.
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Step 4Season generously with salt, cracked pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and oregano; toss again.
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Step 5Place bread cubes on a cookie sheet.
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Step 6Bake until golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Don't overcook. Allow to cool.
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Step 7Combine dressing ingredients and whisk until well combined.
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Step 8Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl (except dressing and croutons).
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Step 9Toss gently.
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Step 10Add croutons and dressing and toss gently until combined.
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Step 11Let stand 5-10 minutes for flavors to blend. Remove garlic cloves before serving.
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Step 12Serve as a side salad, add grilled chicken or grilled jumbo shrimp on top for a quick, healthy meal. Enjoy!
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
