Tomato Basil Panzanella Recipes

TOMATO BASIL PANZANELLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread bread cubes over a baking sheet.
• Bake bread cubes in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Whisk olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, parsley, and salt in a large bowl. Fold in toasted bread, tomatoes, onion, olives, basil, and Parmesan cheese until vinegar dressing is evenly distributed.

ARTICHOKE AND TOMATO PANZANELLA

Steps:

• Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Drizzle the bread and artichoke hearts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the bread and artichokes until golden brown at the edges, about 6 minutes total, turning every 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the bread and artichokes from the grill and transfer to a large bowl.
• Add the tomatoes, olives and basil to the bowl and toss to combine. In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, white wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss to combine and serve immediately.

PANZANELLA TOMATO TOAST WITH CRISPY CAPERS AND BASIL LEAVES

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high. Add capers and fry, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer capers to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and season with salt. Fry basil in batches in same skillet until crisp, about 30 seconds. Transfer to paper-towel lined plate and season with salt. Let oil in pan cool slightly.
• Toss cucumber, tomatoes, onion, vinegar, fried capers, and 1/4 cup warm caper-basil oil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Vigorously rub one side of hot toasts with garlic, then top with tomato mixture. Top with fried basil leaves and serve warm.

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.

PANZANELLA

Steps:

• Cut the crusts off the bread, and cut the bread into chunks. Place in a bowl and cover with water. Leave for 15 minutes. Then drain, and squeeze the bread dry between your hands. Tear the bread into rough chunks, and place in a large salad bowl. You should have at least 2 cups of torn bread pieces.
• Add thinly sliced onion to the bread and mix well. Cut the tomatoes into large bite-size chunks and add to the bowl. Chop the basil, add it, and then mix the contents of the bowl well.
• In a separate small bowl, place the salt. Mash the clove of garlic with a knife blade, chop it roughly and add to the salt. Using the back of a spoon, crush the garlic in the salt to form a smooth paste. Add oil and vinegar and mix well.
• Add the dressing to the salad, and mix together very well. Set aside, covered, in a cool place for an hour or longer to develop flavors.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO PANZANELLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and preheat a cookie sheet in it.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until it foams. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the bread cubes and toss to coat with the butter. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the bread to a baking sheet. Immediately sprinkle with the cheese and toss again while warm to melt the cheese.
• Bake, stirring once or twice, until the croutons are crisp and lightly colored on the outside but still soft within, about 8 or 9 minutes. Let cool. Store in an airtight container.
• Michael's Notes: I use a serrated knife to remove the crust from day-old bread, then switch to a chef's knife to cut the cubes because it doesn't tear the bread. Also note that I recommend grating the Parmesan finely so that it will stick to the bread better.

TOMATO PANZANELLA WITH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, spread bread in a single layer and bake until dry and light golden brown, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, vinegar, and oil and season with salt and pepper. Add toasted bread and basil and toss to combine. Let sit 20 to 30 minutes to allow bread to soak up liquid. Divide salad evenly among four bowls and top each with some ricotta, a drizzle of oil, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

CRISPY GNOCCHI WITH TOMATO AND RED ONION

Steps:

• Heat a large (about 12-inch), well-seasoned cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high; add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the gnocchi to the pan, breaking up any that are stuck together. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, tossing every 1 ½ to 2 minutes so they get golden and crispy all over.
• Meanwhile, prepare your tomatoes: If you are using small ones like cherry or grape varieties, simply slice them in half. For larger tomatoes, quarter them or slice into bite-size chunks. (It is good to have a mix of shapes and sizes.) Place the tomatoes and onions in a large serving bowl. Add the balsamic vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt; season with pepper and gently toss.
• When the gnocchi are golden and crispy, add them to the tomatoes, along with 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil and a handful each of parsley and basil. Toss and taste, adding more salt or pepper as needed.
• Top with more parsley and basil, and eat immediately or at room temperature.

PANZANELLA SALAD WITH BACON, TOMATO AND BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350º.
• Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl; stir with a whisk.
• Add tomato, onion, basil and bacon; toss well. Set aside.
• Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on baking sheet. Lightly coat bread with cooking spray.
• Bake at 350º for 15 minutes or until toasted; cool.
• Add bread and lettuce to tomatoes; toss gently to combine.
• Serve immediately.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO PANZANELLA

Steps:

• Heat a stove-top grill. Brush the bread with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and grill for 10 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. If you don't have a stove-top grill, heat the oil in a large sauté 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 together the garlic, mustard, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, yellow pepper, red onion, basil, and capers. Toss with enough vinaigrette to moisten. Season liberally with salt and pepper and arrange the vegetables artfully on a platter. Drizzle the bread with extra vinaigrette or olive oil and add to the platter.
• Serve immediately, or allow the salad to sit for about half an hour for the flavors to blend.