Monday 9 June 2008

Panzanella




This is a delicious Italian salad - and very easy to prepare -

4 ripe tomatoes (chopped) or teeny toms
1 small cucumber - (peeled) and chopped
1 red onion - peeled and chopped
1 stick of celery - peeled and chopped
1 carrot - peeled and chopped
1 large bunch of Basil leaves
2 tbls. red wine vinegar

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - a nice tasting one.
preferably a stale, rustic loaf
Seasoning - (S&P)
little crushed garlic

Trim off any crusts and cut the bread into chunky cubes.
Sprinkle with some olive oil, little salt and black pepper, little crushed garlic (not essential) - toss together so they all have some coating - and place them on a baking tray. Bake till just golden brown. If your oven is on 'high' - this wont take too long - keep your eye on them!

Chop the veg, aprox. to the same size chunks,
Add the Basil leaves and croutons.
Add the wine vinegar - mix well, season, and leave in the fridge, covered, at least a couple of hours.
Before serving
Toss gently together with some olive oil - taste to make sure seasoning is ok.
You could also add a sprinkle of dried basil and oregano.
(Recipe c/o Caldesi's)

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