Refreshing Panzanella Salad Recipe: This Panzanella With Champagne Citrus Vinaigrette Is a Twist On Tradition Salads Side Dishes

Panzanella is an Italian salad that is so refreshing all year-round. Although it's traditionally made with red wine vinegar during the summer months, I like to use champagne citrus and additional vegetables during colder months in my Panzanella salad. 

Panzanella has traditionally been a way to use up the hardened ends of leftover bread. If you don’t have time, just toast the cubes in the oven for 15 minutes or so until crunchy, but not completely toasted. This Panzanella recipe makes a great side dish, or even a light dinner. 

Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 30 to 40 minutes, plus 15 minutes to let it sit
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 30 to 40 minutes, plus 15 minutes to let it sit
Servings: 6 

Ingredients

Champagne Citrus Vinaigrette

• 1 large lemon, zested fine and freshly squeezed
• 1/2 grapefruit, juiced
• 1 orange, zested, sectioned and juiced
• 1/3 cup champagne vinegar
• 4 anchovies, finely chopped
• 5 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salad

• 1/2 - 1 loaf of day-old crusty Italian loaf, torn into large bite-size pieces
• 2 pounds ripe Roma tomatoes, very large dice
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onions, sweet onions or shallots
• 1 bunch scallions, chopped on a wide diagonal
• 2 large English cucumbers, halved lengthwise and cut into large dice
• 2 large red bell peppers, cleaned chopped large dice
• 2 cups chopped, cooked and chilled Italian green beans
• 1 bunch fresh basil leaves, torn into large pieces
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Here’s how to make it:

1. For the salad dressing, place all of the ingredients in the bowl of your food processor except the oil. Blend until combined and orange sections are pulverized. Allow to sit about 10-15 minutes. Once flavors have come together begin the processor again. While blending, continuously add the oil in a slow, steady stream until it’s fully incorporated and mixture is emulsified.
2. For the salad, in a medium bowl toss the tomatoes, onions and cucumber and add half of the vinaigrette. Toss to coat well, then set aside at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
3. Add the vegetables and the basil to the bread and mix until evenly combined. Add additional vinaigrette. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.

Photo: Bigstock

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