Best 6 Classic Panzanella Recipes
Indulge in the delightful flavors of summer with Panzanella, a classic Italian salad that bursts with freshness and vibrant colors. Originating from Tuscany, this rustic dish is a harmonious blend of juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, aromatic basil, and tender bread. In this article, we present you with a collection of Panzanella recipes that capture the essence of this beloved dish. From a traditional version that celebrates simplicity to variations that incorporate unique ingredients, these recipes will inspire you to create a refreshing and flavorful salad that's perfect for any occasion. Embrace the Tuscan tradition of using stale bread, as it soaks up the delicious dressing, creating a symphony of textures in every bite. Elevate your Panzanella with grilled vegetables, fresh herbs, or even fruit for a burst of sweetness. Whether you prefer a vegetarian delight or a hearty salad with grilled chicken or fish, our recipes cater to diverse preferences. So, gather your ingredients, let's embark on a culinary journey to recreate the magic of Panzanella in your own kitchen.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
CLASSIC PANZANELLA
Provided by Valerie Bertinelli
Categories side-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Arrange the bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until dried out but not toasted, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool.
- Meanwhile, put the tomatoes in a colander and toss them with 1 teaspoon salt. Let stand 20 minutes, discard any juices that drain out.
- Whisk the olive oil and vinegar together in a large bowl. Add the bread, tomatoes, onion, and basil and toss to coat thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper and 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.
PANZANELLA WITH MOZZARELLA AND HERBS
At the height of tomato season, for every perfectly ripe, taut and juicy specimen, there's an overripe, oozing counterpart not far away. The Tuscan bread salad called panzanella is the perfect place to use those sad, soft tomatoes that are still rich in flavor. Traditional panzanella is made with stale, dried bread that's rehydrated from a dressing of sweet tomato juices, vinegar and plenty of olive oil. This version also includes some mozzarella for richness and cucumber for crunch. It's an ideal make-ahead dish; the longer the mixture sits (up to 6 or so hours), the better it tastes. Just make sure your bread thoroughly dries out in the oven so it won't turn to mush.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, appetizer, side dish
Time 45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. Spread the bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with 2 tablespoons oil and a pinch of salt. Bake until they are dried out and pale golden brown at the edges, about 7 to 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
- Cut tomatoes into bite-size pieces and transfer to a large bowl. Add mozzarella, onions, garlic paste, 1 tablespoon vinegar, oregano or thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes if using. Toss to coat and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, the mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt and some black pepper to taste. While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil until the mixture is thickened. Stir in cucumbers, basil and parsley.
- Add bread cubes, cucumber mixture and capers to the tomatoes and toss well. Let sit for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours before serving. Toss with a little more olive oil, vinegar and salt if needed just before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 293, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 21 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 561 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams
PANZANELLA
Prepare your own version of one of Tuscany's most famous dishes, panzanella. It's a good way to use up leftovers, as it's made with stale bread - simply toss with ripe tomatoes and an olive oil dressing
Provided by Esther Clark
Categories Lunch, Side dish, Starter
Time 45m
Yield Serves 4-6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the tomatoes in a colander and sprinkle over 1 tsp sea salt, then leave to sit for 15 mins.
- Spread the chunks of bread out on a baking tray and toss with 1 tbsp of the oil. Bake for 10-15 mins, or until lightly toasted.
- In a bowl, whisk together the remaining oil, the vinegar and shallot. Season to taste. Toss the anchovies with the tomatoes, croutons, olive oil dressing, the olives and half the basil in a large bowl. Spoon the panzanella onto a serving plate and top with the remaining basil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 378 calories, Fat 24 grams fat, SaturatedFat 3 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 31 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 6 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 8 grams protein, Sodium 2.3 milligram of sodium
CLASSIC PANZANELLA
Steps:
- Cover the onion slices with cold water; let soak about 30 minutes, changing the water three or four times. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl or dish. Meanwhile, cover the bread with cold water, and let stand until the bread is softened, about 10 minutes.
- Squeeze the bread to remove as much water as possible. Arrange the bread on a double layer of paper towels; cover with another double layer, and press down to extract any remaining water. Sprinkle the bread with about 1 teaspoon salt. Set aside for 5 minutes.
- Using your fingers, pluck the bread into bite-size pieces, and transfer to the dish containing the onions. Toss to combine.
- Prepare the cucumbers and tomatoes. Add to the bowl with the bread mixture.
- Drizzle the oil and vinegar over the salad; season with salt and pepper.
- Tear the basil leaves in half; add to the bowl. Gently toss to combine. Set aside in a cool place, 30 to 45 minutes. Toss and serve.
CLASSIC PANZANELLA
This salad originated in Tuscany as a tasty way to use the last scraps of stale bread. In this classic recipe, slices of bread are briefly soaked in cold water, squeezed dry, and added to roughly chopped tomatoes, other vegetables, olive oil, and vinegar.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Salad Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Fill a bowl with enough cold water to cover onion slices. Let onion soak about 30 minutes, changing the water three or four times. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl or dish. Cover bread with cold water, and let stand until the bread is softened and heavy with water, about 10 minutes.
- Squeeze the bread between your palms to remove as much water as possible.
- Arrange bread on a double layer of paper towels. Cover with another double layer of paper towels, and press down to extract any remaining water. Remove top layer of towels, and sprinkle bread with about 1 teaspoon salt. Set aside for 5 minutes. Using fingers, pluck bread into bite-size pieces, and transfer to the dish containing the onions.
- Add the tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Drizzle the oil and vinegar over the salad; season with salt and pepper.
- Tear the basil leaves in half; add to the bowl. Gently toss to combine. Set aside in a cool place, 30 to 45 minutes. Toss, and serve.
Tips:
- Use the best quality tomatoes you can find, as they will make the biggest difference in the flavor of the salad.
- Choose a sturdy bread that will hold up well to being tossed with the other ingredients. A good option is a rustic Italian bread.
- If you don't have any stale bread, you can toast fresh bread in the oven until it is slightly crispy.
- Add other vegetables to the salad, such as cucumbers, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- For a more flavorful salad, use a good quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Season the salad to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve the salad immediately, or chill it for a few hours before serving.
Conclusion:
Panzanella is a refreshing and flavorful salad that is perfect for a summer meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With its combination of fresh vegetables, herbs, and bread, panzanella is a delicious and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at your table.
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