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PANZANELLA SALAD

Bowl of panzanella salad - Italian bread, onions, tomatoes, black olives, and basil in a homemade Italian dressing
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Panzanella salad is a healthy, delicious way to enjoy summer’s bounty. Homemade croutons, vegetables, and a homemade dressing make this salad a dish your family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

For the salad:

  • 12-ounce ciabatta bread or crusty Italian bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup sliced black olives
  • 1 cup seeded and diced plum tomatoes
  • 1 cup diced English cucumber
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (I used red bell pepper)
  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

For the dressing:

  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
  • 1 heaping tablespoon honey
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

To make the croutons:

Preheat the oven to 400-degrees.

On a baking sheet, toss the bread cubes with ¼ cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper.

Spread out into an even layer and bake until crisp and golden – 12-15 minutes.  Use a spatula to turn the croutons midway through baking.

Transfer to a salad bowl and set aside to cool.

Add the red onion, sliced olives, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and basil to the bowl.  Toss gently to combine.

Make the dressing.

On a small cutting board, crush the garlic with the back of a knife.  Pour the salt over the garlic.  Use the knife to work the salt into the garlic, making a paste.

Scrape the garlic/salt paste into a mason jar or large glass measuring glass.

Pour in the vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and honey.

Use an immersion blender or whisk to combine the ingredients fully.

While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and whisk until thick and creamy.

Drizzle the dressing over the bread and vegetables in the salad bowl.

Toss to combine.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and toss to combine.

Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Find it online: https://eatsbythebeach.com/healthy-panzanella-salad/