Panzanella – Italian Bread Salad

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Salad Dressing

1. 1
   In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar and salt until smooth.

   Bowl

To assemble

1. 2
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).

   ⚙ Preheating the OvenOven

   💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
2. 3
   Cut the bread into cubes.

   Serrated knife (bread knife)Cutting board
3. 4
   Bake the bread cubes on a baking sheet 8 minutes, until they are crisp.

   ⚙ BakingOvenBaking pan

   💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.
4. 5
   Cut the tomatoes, cucumbers and onion into pieces.

   KnifeCutting board
5. 6
   Put the bread cubes, cucumbers, tomatoes and onion in a large bowl.

   Bowl
6. 7
   Pour in the dressing and toss well.
7. 8
   Add the basil and toss.
8. 9
   Leave for 10 minutes, so the bread soaks up the sauce.

   💡Stale, toasted bread soaks up the tomato juice and dressing without falling apart: a few minutes of resting in the bowl, and the cubes are soft outside but still have bite.