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Grilled Bruschetta Panzanella Salad Recipe

June 21, 2016 by Florentina 18 Comments

How to make grilled Panzanella salad, one of the most delicious classic Italian bread salads, a Tuscan peasant dish worthy of royalty, traditionally made with day old bread.

Bowl of Grilled Bruschetta Panzanella Salad with Tomatoes and BasilBecause bread and tomatoes you guys!

It really can’t get any better than a bowl of this summer bruschetta panzanella salad and a pitcher of strawberry lemonade under the shade of the grapevine, outside my kitchen door. 

Two of my favorite things making the most beautiful mess of all. Grilled crusty bread, fragrant heirloom tomatoes, lots of garlic, olive oil and basil.

Basically if my classic homemade bruschetta would marry my rustic cucumber tomato salad but leave the cucumbers behind.

I know, crazy talk, but that is pretty much what is happening in that bowl of panzanella! 

Bowl of Grilled Bruschetta Panzanella Salad with Tomatoes and Basil

I grill thick slices of crusty Italian ciabatta bread, rub them well with garlic cloves and tear it into pieces, or you can use a knife to cut it if you like.

Then you toss everything to coat with juicy tomatoes, capers and red onion, in a classic Italian olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing.

Then you let it sit on the kitchen counter for 20 minutes before diving into it. Just enough time for the bread to soak up that dressing and turn into magic. Trust me, it is worth the wait!

This is what rustic living is all about. Wholesome, fresh, nutritious meals, loaded with fragrance, texture and soul.

Because I had the time to heat up my grill, I decided to give it a Bruschetta salad spin, not only for the beautiful texture it adds, but also so I can get my garlic fix ha! Garlic does make the work go around, its true kids, just ask google 😉

Bowl of Grilled Bruschetta Panzanella Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes and Basil

Note worthy:

  • make sure to taste as you go and adjust seasonings in your salad dressing. You might like it more acidic, so add more red wine vinegar, or less, the key is to taste and adjust 11 times 😉
  • keep an eye on the bruschetta while grilling. It only takes a minute to burn.
  • In case you did burn the bread, not to panic. Take a serrated bread knife and scrape off the burnt layer of the bread. 

Bruschetta Panzanella Salad Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Bruschetta Panzanella Salad
Print
Grilled Bruschetta Panzanella Salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

How to make grilled panzanella salad, one of the most delicious Italian bread salads, a Tuscan peasant dish worthy of royalty!

Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4
Author: Florentina
Ingredients
  • 1/2 ciabatta bread
  • 2 lb heirloom tomatoes
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
  • 2 clove large garlic
  • 1 c basil leaves
  • 1/3 c extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar + more to taste
  • 2 tbsp capers
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Slice the ciabatta bread into thick slices.
  2. On a hot cast iron grill or grill pan char the bread quickly until nice grill marks for on each side. Take good care not to burn it.
  3. Rub each side of each slice of the bruschetta ( grilled bread) with the garlic to your liking. Set aside and drizzle all over with some olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and allow to cool. Once cooled off and easy to handle, tear the bruschetta into small pieces and place into a bowl. You can use a serrated knife to cut it up if you prefer.
  4. Slice the heirloom tomatoes and red onion and add them to the bowl with the bruschetta pieces.
  5. In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil and red wine vinegar until combined. Season to taste with the sea salt and pour over the bruschetta panzanella salad.
  6. Sprinkle the salad with the capers and toss to coat well. Adjust seasonings again to your taste and add the basil leaves on top.
  7. Allow your panzanella salad to rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving with freshly cracked black pepper on top.

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Bruschetta/ Crostini/ Panini, Salads, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: Best Bruschetta Recipes, Best Italian recipes, Bruschetta, Bruschetta Recipes, Easy Bruschetta, Easy Italian Recipes, Fresh Tomato Recipes, Italian Recipes, Panzanella, Panzanella Recipe, Panzanella Recipes, Panzanella Salad, Quick Italian Recipes, Tomato Recipes, Tomato Salads, Tomato Salads Recipes

About Florentina

Hi, I'm Florentina, the voice behind the wholesome recipes you find in this journal. But I'm not alone, I'm really just channeling the Man in the Photo, one recipe at a time! Thank you for joining me in my quest for the art of simple, rustic living, trying to capture the raw beauty of organic food & life through the lens of my Iphone and camera.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica @ Sprinkle Some Sugar

    June 22, 2016 at 7:17 am

    I loooooove bruschetta so I know I would LOVE this!

    Reply
  2. Krista

    June 22, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    I want to have this for lunch and dinner!

    Reply
    • Florentina

      June 22, 2016 at 5:16 pm

      Yes, i love how you think! You and me both!

      Reply
  3. Des @ Life's Ambrosia

    June 22, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    There is so much goodness going on in this salad! And I am a sucker for anything with capers!

    Reply
  4. Michelle De La Cerda

    June 22, 2016 at 3:42 pm

    Amazing salad I am a big fan of all these flavors. Bruschetta is one of my favorites. Considered pinned!

    Reply
    • Florentina

      June 22, 2016 at 5:16 pm

      Thanks Michelle 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet

    June 22, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    I love panzanella and yours looks absolutely wonderful!

    Reply
    • Florentina

      June 22, 2016 at 5:15 pm

      thank you Kimberly, hope you make it, panzanella keeps me going in the summer months.

      Reply
  6. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy

    June 23, 2016 at 4:04 am

    5 stars
    Well this certainly sounds delicious to me, but anything with bread is delicious!! Sounds like a great summer salad, I could eat it as a main. Perfect with a nice glass of wine too!!

    Reply
    • Florentina

      June 23, 2016 at 7:36 pm

      Oh yes Gloria, don’t forget the chilled wine 😉

      Reply
  7. Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry

    June 23, 2016 at 5:42 am

    5 stars
    I could tuck into a bowl of this right now. An excellent, healthy way of using day old bread too.

    Reply
  8. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    June 23, 2016 at 5:44 am

    I have heard so much about this salad, but I still haven’t tried it. I love tomato and bread though.

    Reply
    • Florentina

      June 23, 2016 at 7:35 pm

      Oh you have got to try the panzanella salad then. Come back so we can talk about it 😉 ~ Florentina

      Reply
  9. Michelle | A Latte Food

    June 23, 2016 at 9:54 am

    Oh my goodness, this looks amazing! I love a Panzanella Salad (because bread is life )!

    Reply
    • Florentina

      June 23, 2016 at 7:34 pm

      I love that, Bread is Life indeed, I could never give up a good freshly baked crusty piece of bread.

      Reply
  10. Igor @ Cooking The Globe

    June 24, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    5 stars
    Panzanella salad is one of the best ever. Seriously. I tried for the first time few years ago and since then I can’t get enough!

    Reply
  11. Brandy Myers

    June 24, 2016 at 4:11 pm

    5 stars
    I mega adore a good panzanella salad and yours look fantastic! Just the right amount of bread to tomato ratio with the zing of the red wine vinegar.

    Reply

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Ciao Florentina Channeling the Man in the Photo, one recipe at a time, mostly Italian and Vegetarian lifestyle! Please join my quest for the art of simple, rustic living, trying to capture the raw beauty of food & life through the lens of my Iphone - Florentina L.

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