Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Grilled Panzanella Salad

Once again, this is one of those recipes where the photo does not do it justice.  This is a fantastic salad and it's surprisingly is loaded with flavor.  I borrowed some ideas from Ina Garten (using a fresh roasted pepper and using slices of bread rather than cubes) and added some things as well.  What makes this different is grilling the bread, peppers and onions which gives the salad a nice charred flavor. Give this a try at your next barbeque!





Grilled Panzanella Salad

Ingredients:

1 baguette cut into 1 inch slices
1/2 cup kalamata olives
1 english cucumber cut into chunks
1 red pepper
1 small red onion
1 pound fress mozzarella, cubed
1 large tomato, seeded and cubed
About 10 fresh basil leaves
extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Dressing:

3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp. honey
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 clove of garlic minced or put through a press
salt and pepper

Directions:

1.  Drizzle bread slices and bell pepper with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Slice onion into rounds and season the round the same way.  Grill over medium heat until bread toasts and veggies get a nice char on both sides.  The pepper will get black and blistered  (which you want).  Put the pepper in a bowl covered with plastic wrap or in a brown lunch bag.  This will cause the pepper to steam and the skin will pull away from the flesh of the pepper.  When pepper is cool enough to handle, remove skin and seeds.  Slice into pieces.  Cut the onion rounds into pieces as well.  Place veggies in a large bowl.  Do not add the bread slices at this time, we will add them in at the end so they don't get soggy.

2. To the bowl with roasted pepper and red onion, add, cucumber, tomato, olives, mozzarella and basil. 

3.  In a small bowl add garlic, vinegar, and honey, beat with a whisk.  Slowly add olive oil while beating to create an emulsion.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Pour over veggies. 

4. When ready to serve add the bread to the veggies and toss. 

Enjoy!






14 comments:

Spryte said...

That looks soooooo good!!!!

Dajana said...

I've never particularly cared for Panzanella (and I've lived in Tuscany where it is often served at parties). However, this is much more attractive and I think I'd actually like it this way, with grilled bread (instead of soaked one).

julie said...

The gods must be calling me to make panzanella. You're the second food blog I follow this week to post a recipe for one! It looks delicious!

Jen_from_NJ said...

I love that you grilled the bread and the veggies. Perfect!

teresa said...

oooooh, this looks awesome!

smilinggreenmom said...

You have the BEST recipes :)

Annalisa said...

This panzanella looks wonderful!!!!!
I will surely try yours, it looks much more colourful than the ones I have seen around here!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe with us, dear Michele!
Love,
Annalisa

Niki said...

I've always wanted to make this, now i am definitely gonna gave to try this!

Patti T. said...

I love Panzanella, but I am going to have to disagree with you about one thing, I think the picture looks very appetizing! I also never gave a thought to grilling. Great idea.

Aggie said...

that's a great picture...making me hungry! I love panzanella!

Kim said...

I am all over some grilled bread right now and could really gobble this one up!

Danielle said...

looove this recipe! it looks wonderful

Mary said...

Michele, your salad looks wonderful. This is my first visit to your blog. I had intended only to say hello and then move on. Instead, I started reading your earlier posts and stayed far longer than I planned. I love your recipes and the tone of your blog. It's easy to see why you won a Top Blog award. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Stacey Snacks said...

I love a summer panzanella salad when Jersey tomatoes are in season...I make almost the exact salad, I will have to try the honey in the dressing.
Yum!