Panzanella
Panzanella is a Tuscan bread salad which combines day old bread, tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, red onion and olive oil. A perfect summer dish for lunch or as a side. The key to making this simple salad really good is using the freshest high quality ingredients. I used ripe tomatoes from my garden, my favorite Rustic bread from Hot and Crusty, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil. Let it marinate for a little while to allow the flavors to blend. The juices from the tomatoes mixed with the olive oil makes it’s own dressing. If you don’t have day old bread, lightly spray bread slices with a little olive oil, season with salt and grill on the bbq until toasted. Whole wheat Italian bread would be great too. Makes 8 cups.
Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad)
Ingredients
- 8-10 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 cup seedless cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 8-10 basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- extra virgin olive oil spray, I used my Misto
- 6 oz French bread or a good crusty Italian bread, sliced
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Lightly spray bread with olive oil and season with a little salt; grill over medium heat, until toasted and nicely browned.
- Remove from heat and cut into 1 inch cubes. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, basil, olive oil, and season liberally with salt and pepper.
- Let it sit for about 30 minutes to let the flavors combine.
- Add the bread cubes and toss.
- Serve in individual bowls.
Notes
As a main dish: Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 2 cups • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 6 pts
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup, Calories: 104.3kcal, Carbohydrates: 17.7g, Protein: 3.1g, Fat: 2.9g, Fiber: 2.2g
Blue Smart Points: 2
Green Smart Points: 2
Purple Smart Points: 2
Points +: 3
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What do you suggest serving as a main dish with this?? Looking to try it out over this weekend.
We usually eat this as a main in the summer but also great with grilled chicken or seafood.
I've been making a variation of this salad for lunch every day this week. The variation? FRESH GRATED GARLIC – one large clove for every 2 tomatoes. Unbelievably delicious!
All the recipies from this site are so inspiring…to my body and soul:) Thanks, Gina!!
I added some super grainy mustard, and served over fresh spinach…more food, for an additional point+!!
I've also varied this salad by adding blanched green beans and fresh sliced red onions.
Isn't this a wonderful salad! You really need good bread, it makes the salad.
OMG! I had very little ww points+ left tonight and started looking through your website for something healthy and low in points and found this!! WOW!!! My whole family absolutely loved it. My nondieting family asked me to make this again! Perfect for a hot humid day too! Thanks again. Love your site!
Gina! I made this salad, and it looked just like your picture- except i didnt have ripe tomatoes. I used fresher.. You Rock!!! I loved this salad, as leftovers i added green olives and i sprayed a little vinegarette! Yummy to my tummy!!!
Made this tonight, LOVED IT, husband was not so hot on it but I really enjoyed it. He is a a tad hard to cool for.
I've been making this for the past few days without cucumber and onion,added a dab of balsamic and it's STILL amazing! I'm going to take it to a family reunion tomorrow.At least to provide an alternative to the creamy potato and macaroni salads. You ROCK!
@Tangie- thanks for taking the time to write!! I'm so happy you have tried several recipes and enjoyed them. I really think it's important to cook with real food, it's just as important to me to be healthy as it is to be in good physical shape. The best way to know what you are putting into your body is to cook it yourself. Have a great day!
Gina, your blog has become such a part of our family that I had to leave you a comment. I found your site doing a WW recipe Google search around two weeks ago and have since made about 15 of your recipes for myself and my family (husband, 3 year old daughter, 1 year old son). They are a hit, nutritious, and complement our natural/organic preferences. You are amazing and creative and just had to say your effort is not going unnoticed. Thanks, from North Idaho. 🙂
Everything in moderation!! Considering this salad has very little oil and lots of fresh tomatoes, yes, it's healthy!
First time on your blog and I just wanted to say hi! That panzanella looks amazing!! Looking forward to following you! 🙂
Panzanella is one of my favorites~ I wouldn't have thought of it as skinny. But if Gina says so… I'm a happy girl! I'll share this on our friday's favorites!
Those garden fresh tomatoes look luscious!
i love this! i actually just had some awesome panzanella the other day! sweeet!
This is my hubby's kind of Salad. I should make it for him soon. Thanks for this wonderful recipe.
Faith
I've been making this salad for years. My husband and I both love it.
awesome! looks like so delicious! I wanna take it testy! 🙂
I know what I'm doing with my leftover bread tonight. Thanks for the recipe!
That looks so delicious.the perfect recipe for those ripe summer tomatoes!Thank you for bringing such nice posts
Welcome back from your holiday!!
Great salad, I never would have thought about this combo its just amazing!
I LOVE this salad…sometimes I throw a little balsamic in with it…
That looks so delicious!!
This sounds delicious…. the perfect recipe for those ripe summer tomatoes!
That looks amazing!