August 14, 2008

Barefoot Bloggers- Panzanella

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I love Ina Garten. So I can't help but enjoy the Barefoot Bloggers Event. A few weeks ago I was googling something about her and stumbled on a nasty board where everyone was raving about how pretentious and insincere she is and I was hurt. LOL. I think she's wonderful and can't wait to watch every episode. Aside from her beautiful house, fine German automobiles, and cute relationship with her husband, she has the BEST recipes. I gathered the ingredients for this Italian salad last minute and didn't know how it was going to come together. I don't know why I was worried, though, because it was amazing. I think everyone that ate it agreed it was the best salad we've had in a long time. One of the great things about Panzanella is that it's kind of a "leftover salad", using day old bread, whatever tomatoes and veggies you have on hand and tossing with a simple vinaigrette. This is the kind of thing that is easy to through together and improvise, too. And for the sake of improvisation, I subconsciously forgot to add the cucumbers sitting happily in the fridge to mine. So go ahead and make it your own- it will still be tangy, sweet, crunchy, and delicious.

Coincidentally, a just saw Alton Brown's tomato episode so I incorporated a few tricks from his Panzanella recipe into Ina's. He sears half of the tomatoes for another texture, so I did that before adding the bread to the pan to crisp. I also sliced and baked my bread for a few minutes to replicate Alton's step of leaving it out overnight. Then, I added one head of romaine lettuce to the final product. I thought it came out just perfect and I LOVED Ina's dressing. I'm always looking for a good vinaigrette that pleases many different palates- not too sweet, not to sour, not too tangy, not to bland. This one was wonderful and while the recipe made more than I needed for the Panzanella, I was happy to put the leftovers in the fridge for our next salad. Thanks Melissa, for the awesome choice!


Panzanella
Adapted from Barefoot Contessa Parties
Note: This salad makes a very large portion and is best served immediately after tossing. I would half it for 2 adults and serve with Rotisserie chicken for an easy summer meal.

3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 small French bread or boule, cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large, ripe tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes (I used about 3 cups of grape tomatoes)
1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 red onion, cut in 1/2 and thinly sliced
20 large basil leaves, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons capers, drained
1 head of Romaine Lettuce, chopped

For the vinaigrette: (even with the lettuce, I only used about 2/3 of this, so pare down according to your tastes)
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons Champagne vinegar (I used white wine vinegar)
1/2 cup good olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oil in a large saute pan. Add the bread and salt; cook over low to medium heat, tossing frequently, for 10 minutes, or until nicely browned. Add more oil as needed.

For the vinaigrette, whisk all the ingredients together.

In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, yellow pepper, red onion, basil, lettuce, and capers. Add the bread cubes and toss with the vinaigrette. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Serve, or allow the salad to sit for about half an hour for the flavors to blend.

11 comments:

  1. I'm hurt too! Lol...don't mess with Ina!

    This salad was so good...loved the vinaigrette too! Yours looks delish with that romaine!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This salad was sooooo good. Next time I'll have to try searing part of the tomatoes. Sounds deeelish.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks beautiful and great ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh how nice to see Alton give a couple of tricks before making, your salad looks great

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's gorgeous! I wish I had put in lettuce too. I'll cry with you about Ina. Nobody's allowed to insult the Contessa!

    ReplyDelete
  6. How pretty!! :) Love the idea of searing the tomatoes first... I'll have to try that!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your salad looks SO GOOD! I have just about everything to make it, so maybe I will give it a shot before my tomatoes languish on the counter. There's nothing quite like a delicious salad. I rarely get to watch Barefoot Contessa, but when I do, I just enjoy every second of it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I totally agree that Ina is AMAZING. I can't believe there are people that don't LOVE her...too bad for them! The salad looks wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your salad looks great Anne! Barefoot hasn't had a bad recipe. She is by far one of my favorites on FN!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I loved this salad too. How can those heathens talk about Ina like that??!! I share your pain!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Goodness, why do people behave so nasty? Ina Garten is perfect! Haha. I was seriously expecting you to put strawberries in this salad. I thought if anyone would do it, it would have been you. Glad you liked it.
    ~Cat

    ReplyDelete