Fried Bread Panzanella With Ricotta And Herbs Recipes

FRIED-BREAD PANZANELLA WITH RICOTTA AND HERBS

Steps:

• Mix ricotta and 2 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Toss tomatoes, shallot, garlic, basil, parsley, and vinegar in a medium bowl; season with salt. Heat 4 Tbsp. oil in a skillet large enough to fit bread in a single layer over medium. Fry bread until deep golden brown on one side, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, sprinkle fried side with salt, and cut into 1 1/2" pieces. Toss into tomato mixture.
• Spread ricotta mixture over plates and top with salad; drizzle with more oil.

PANZANELLA WITH MOZZARELLA AND HERBS

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.

CHEF JOHN'S PANZANELLA

Steps:

• Pour bread into a large skillet and drizzle with 1/4 cup olive oil, working in batches if necessary. Cook and stir bread over medium heat, adding more oil as needed, until bread cubes are golden and crispy on the outside, 7 to 12 minutes.
• Sprinkle Parmigiano-Reggiano over the top of the bread cubes; cook and stir until cheese is melted onto bread, and bread is crispy on the outside but still chewy on the inside, 3 to 4 minutes more. Cool completely.
• Combine tomatoes, red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, sugar, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl until well-mixed. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature until flavors combine, about 20 minutes.
• Toss basil into tomato mixture; add bread cubes and stir. Let salad sit at room temperature 3 to 4 minutes; if the liquid is completely absorbed, add more vinegar and extra virgin olive oil to taste. Season with salt and black pepper.

PANZANELLA WITH FETA AND BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast in oven 10 to 15 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• Combine the bread with tomatoes, shallots and capers and let sit for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, add olive oil and balsamic vinegar to a bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, whisk and add to bread. Add feta and basil to the bowl. Lightly toss with wooden spoon. Plate panzanella, garnish with basil leaves and serve.