Vibrant Italian Bread Salad (Printer-Friendly)

A vibrant salad with grilled bread and fresh vegetables.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 4 thick slices of rustic country bread
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 garlic clove, halved

→ Vegetables

04 - 400 grams ripe mixed tomatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1 small cucumber, sliced into half-moons
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 handful fresh basil leaves

→ Vinaigrette

09 - 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush bread slices with olive oil on both sides.
02 - Grill bread for 2–3 minutes per side until crisp and charred. Remove from grill and immediately rub the cut side of the garlic clove over the warm bread.
03 - Tear grilled bread into bite-sized chunks and place in a large salad bowl. Add tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, red bell pepper, and fresh basil to the bowl with bread.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create the vinaigrette.
05 - Pour vinaigrette over salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and bread to soak up dressing.
06 - Serve at room temperature, garnished with extra basil if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • This dish feels like summer on a plate, bursting with flavor and freshness.
  • It's wonderfully versatile, allowing you to throw in whatever seasonal veggies you have on hand.
02 -
  • Don’t skip letting the salad sit; it really helps the bread absorb all those delicious flavors.
  • Feel free to mix in other seasonal produce for a personal twist or add some cheese for creaminess!
03 -
  • Always choose the ripest tomatoes for the best flavor.
  • A splash of balsamic vinegar can add a unique twist to the vinaigrette.
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