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Fresh Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Salad Recipe with Crispy Sourdough Croutons

fresh heirloom tomato panzanella salad - featured image
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A vibrant summer salad featuring juicy heirloom tomatoes, crunchy sourdough croutons, and a tangy vinaigrette, perfect for light yet satisfying meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups heirloom tomatoes, roughly chopped (variety of colors recommended)
  • 4 cups sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (day-old bread works best)
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread sourdough bread cubes evenly on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle a pinch of salt, and toss to coat.
  2. Bake for 12-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden and crispy but not burnt. Remove and let cool.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine 1/4 cup olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously until emulsified and slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. While croutons bake, chop heirloom tomatoes into bite-sized pieces, slice red onion thinly, dice cucumber, and roughly chop basil and parsley. Place all in a large mixing bowl.
  5. Add cooled croutons to the bowl with vegetables. Pour dressing over everything and toss gently but thoroughly to coat without breaking bread cubes.
  6. Let the salad rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and bread to soften slightly.

Notes

Use day-old sourdough bread for croutons to ensure crispiness and prevent sogginess. Toast croutons carefully to avoid burning. Let salad rest 10 minutes before serving to meld flavors. For gluten-free option, substitute gluten-free rustic bread. For vegan, omit cheese additions. Avoid overdressing to keep bread from becoming soggy.

Nutrition

Keywords: heirloom tomato salad, panzanella, sourdough croutons, summer salad, Italian salad, fresh tomato salad, vinaigrette dressing

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/fresh-heirloom-tomato-panzanella-salad-recipe-with-crispy-sourdough-croutons-perfect-for-summer/