Ingredients
For the croutons:1 baguette cubed (about ½ inch cubes)
2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1-2 teaspoons of fresh or dried herbs - thyme, rosemary, garlic, oregano etc (all optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
For the salad:
About 8 ounces of halved cherry tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
For the salad:
About 8 ounces of halved cherry tomatoes
Fresh mozzarella - either one large ball cut into pieces, or 8 ounces of small fresh balls
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
1/4 - 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, eyeball it
1/2 - 1 small shallot, peeled and finely diced (or fine diced red onion)
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves (from 4 to 5 sprigs)
Place the bread cubes on a large, parchment lined baking sheet. Drizzle bread cubes with the 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Lightly toss bread cubes to coat in the oil and seasoning.
Place coated bread cubes in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until croutons are golden brown and crunchy. Remove and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the cut tomatoes, red wine vinegar, olive oil, diced shallots, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine. Allow this mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes. The longer it sits, the juicier the tomatoes will be.
Toss the croutons and cheese with the dressed tomatoes in the large bowl. Allow this mixture to sit for about 15 minutes, stirring it up here and there to distribute the dressing. Transfer the tomatoes and croutons to your serving bowl. Roughly chop or tear the basil leaves and scatter them on top of the panzanella and garnish with a whole sprig of basil if you like.
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
1/4 - 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, eyeball it
1/2 - 1 small shallot, peeled and finely diced (or fine diced red onion)
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves (from 4 to 5 sprigs)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400F.Place the bread cubes on a large, parchment lined baking sheet. Drizzle bread cubes with the 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Lightly toss bread cubes to coat in the oil and seasoning.
Place coated bread cubes in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until croutons are golden brown and crunchy. Remove and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the cut tomatoes, red wine vinegar, olive oil, diced shallots, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine. Allow this mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes. The longer it sits, the juicier the tomatoes will be.
Toss the croutons and cheese with the dressed tomatoes in the large bowl. Allow this mixture to sit for about 15 minutes, stirring it up here and there to distribute the dressing. Transfer the tomatoes and croutons to your serving bowl. Roughly chop or tear the basil leaves and scatter them on top of the panzanella and garnish with a whole sprig of basil if you like.
