Tomato Basil Panzanella Recipes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.