Tomato-and-Bread Salad
By
David Reeves
@Woodrow
1
Too hot to eat? This quick and cool dish is just the thing for supper. Use the very best, summer tomatoes for this Tuscan salad (Panzanella). There are thousands of variations of this simple recipe, and mine is based on one from The Apple Farm in Philo, CA. It is a meal in itself along with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc. (Note: Make only what you will eat immediately. This salad does not keep as a leftover). Got so many tomatoes that they are about to ruin? This delicious meal will solve your problem and you will come back to it summer after summer.
Ingredients
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1/2 cextra-virgin olive oil, divided
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4 Tbspunsalted butter
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3 clovefresh garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
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1/2baguette, cut into 1/2" cubes
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3 - 4 lbbest ripe summer tomatoes, all varieties & colors
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1/2 mediumred onion, chopped fine
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2 - 3 Tbspgood balsamic vinegar
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3/4 ozfresh basil, thinly sliced
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·kosher salt to taste
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·fresh ground pepper to taste
How to Make Tomato-and-Bread Salad
- Heat half of the olive oil and butter in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat just until better is melted. Remove from heat, add garlic and bread and mix well.
- Place skillet in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until the bread cubes are golden and crisp. Remove skillet from oven and set aside to cool.
- Prep the tomatoes - peel if you like, core and slice into bite sized pieces and place in a mixing bowl. Add onion, vinegar, remaining 1/4 of olive oil, salt and pepper. Stir well.
- Just before serving, add the bread and basil to the tomatoes. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Spoon into shallow bowls and dive in!!
