Best 4 Panzanella Tuscan Bread And Tomato Salad Recipes

Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Tuscany with our exploration of the iconic panzanella, a refreshing and flavorful salad that celebrates the bounty of summer. This Tuscan classic transforms simple ingredients into a delightful symphony of textures and tastes. With its crisp bread, juicy tomatoes, aromatic basil, and tangy dressing, panzanella is a quintessential Italian dish that embodies the region's love for fresh, seasonal produce. Join us as we uncover the secrets behind crafting this delectable salad, offering tips and inspiration to create your own authentic panzanella at home.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

CLASSIC PANZANELLA SALAD (TUSCAN-STYLE TOMATO AND BREAD SALAD) RECIPE

Classic Panzanella Salad (Tuscan-Style Tomato and Bread Salad) Recipe image

Dried bread and salted tomatoes make the best version of panzanella salad.

Provided by J. Kenji López-Alt

Categories Quick and Easy Salads Sides

Time 1h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds (1.1kg) mixed ripe tomatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
2 teaspoons (8g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt, plus more for seasoning (use half as much if using table salt)
3/4 pound (340g) ciabatta or rustic sourdough bread, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes (about 6 cups bread cubes)
10 tablespoons (150ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup (1/2 ounce) packed basil leaves, roughly chopped

Steps:

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and adjust rack to center position. In a large bowl, toss bread cubes with 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake about 15 minutes, until crisp and firm but not browned. Remove from oven and let cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 390 kcal, Carbohydrate 37 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 7 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 817 mg, Sugar 8 g, Fat 25 g, ServingSize Serves 6, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

TUSCAN TOMATO & BREAD SALAD

Tuscan Tomato & Bread Salad image

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 pound cherry or grape tomatoes, halved through the stem
1 pound fresh mozzarella, 3/4-inch diced
2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
1 teaspoon good Dijon mustard
1/4 cup good red wine vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup plus 1/3 cup good olive oil
1/2 pound sourdough bread, crusts removed and 3/4-inch diced
20 fresh basil leaves, julienned

Steps:

Place the tomatoes and mozzarella in a large bowl. Put the garlic, mustard, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a 1-cup glass measuring cup and slowly whisk in the 1/2 cup of olive oil. Set aside.
Heat the remaining 1/3 cup of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan until hot but not smoking. Add the bread cubes and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Saute over medium to medium-high heat for 5 to 8 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the bread is evenly browned and crisp. Add the warm bread to the tomatoes and mozzarella. Add enough of the vinaigrette to moisten all the ingredients. Add the basil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss carefully, adding more vinaigrette if necessary. Serve at room temperature.

PANZANELLA (TUSCAN BREAD AND TOMATO SALAD)

Panzanella (Tuscan Bread and Tomato Salad) image

Provided by Food Network

Categories side-dish

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

4 large vine ripened tomatoes, cut into large cubes or wedges
1/2 pound stale country-style Italian bread, crusts removed and cubed (about 8 cups)
1 1/4 cups thinly sliced red onions
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup Italian extra-virgin olive oil
1 bunch fresh basil, stems removed, washed and spun dry, turn into pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, bread, and onions.
In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, vinegar and oil. Pour the dressing over the bread salad and let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature. Add the basil and salt and pepper, to taste, and toss to combine. Serve.

PANZANELLA (ITALIAN BREAD SALAD)

Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad) image

Why throw away the rest of that good, dense loaf you picked up at the bakery the other day? This is what the Italians do with day-old (or older) bread. Simply delicious!!!

Provided by evelynathens

Categories Onions

Time 15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 tomatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, very finely minced
1 cup fresh basil leaf, torn into small pieces
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, plus more as needed
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 -8 slices thick country bread, torn into bite-size pieces (sourdough is good - dense, bakery bread)

Steps:

In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, garlic and basil.
Drizzle with the 1/2 cup olive oil and the 3 tblsps vinegar, season with salt and pepper and toss well.
Place half of the bread in a wide, shallow bowl.
Spoon half of the tomato mixture over the bread.
Layer the remaining bread on top and then the remaining tomato mixture.
Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Just before serving, toss the salad and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
If the bread seems dry, add a little oil or vinegar.
Serve immediately.

Tips:

Use ripe, juicy tomatoes: This is key to a flavorful panzanella. Look for tomatoes that are fragrant and have a deep red color. The riper the tomatoes, the sweeter and more flavorful your salad will be.
Choose a good-quality bread: Stale bread is traditionally used in panzanella, but you can also use fresh bread if you prefer. A rustic bread with a chewy crust will hold up well in the salad.
Don't overdress the salad: Panzanella is a simple salad, and it's important not to overpower the flavors of the tomatoes and bread with too much dressing. A simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper is all you need.
Let the salad rest before serving: This allows the flavors of the bread and dressing to meld together. You can make the salad up to a day ahead of time, but be sure to let it come to room temperature before serving.

Conclusion:

Panzanella is a delicious and refreshing summer salad that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It's also a great way to use up leftover bread. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, panzanella is a salad that everyone can enjoy.