Panzanella Bread Bowl Recipes

SUMMER PANZANELLA BURRATA BOWL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until dried out and golden around the edges, about 7 minutes. When cool enough to handle, rub both sides of each slice with the cut side of the garlic clove.
• Whisk together the oil, vinegar, red pepper flakes, 3/4 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper in a large serving bowl until combined. Toss in the tomatoes, peaches and onion, then set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
• Tear the bread into bite-size pieces, add them to the bowl and toss to coat. Add the basil and salt and black pepper to taste. Cover and let sit until the bread is softened and the flavors marry, at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
• Divide the panzanella among 8 bowls and top each with half a ball of burrata. Drizzle with olive oil and serve immediately.

PANZANELLA (TUSCAN BREAD SALAD)

Steps:

• Peel cucumbers leaving some green skin in alternating strips; slice as thinly as possible. Slice onions as thinly as possible. In a colander, toss cucumber and onion slices with 2 teaspoons salt. Weight with a plate and let drain 20 minutes. Quarter, then thinly slice tomatoes.
• In a large bowl of cold water soak staled bread just until it loses its firmness and becomes spongy, 30 seconds to 1 minute. (If you have let your bread get stale for less than 2 days, just run it briefly under cold, running water.) Using your hands, gently squeeze out water without compacting bread too much. Tear into pieces about 1/2-inch wide and 3-inches long.
• In a large bowl combine soaked bread, cucumbers and onions, tomatoes, basil, oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

PANZANELLA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saute pan. Add the bread and salt; cook over low to medium heat, tossing frequently, for 10 minutes, or until nicely browned. Add more oil as needed.
• For the vinaigrette, whisk all the ingredients together.
• In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, yellow pepper, red onion, basil, and capers. Add the bread cubes and toss with the vinaigrette. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Serve, or allow the salad to sit for about half an hour for the flavors to blend.