Heirloom Tomato Panzanella

When produce season is in full swing, it is great to have a recipe that utilizes the vegetables that look great at the farmers markets - this was our loot from last weekend.

Panzanella is the perfect summer salad to serve with anything - a piece of grilled fish, chicken, steak, shrimp... burgers, kebabs, sandwiches, anything.  The homemade croutons just slightly soak in the vinaigrette.  So good.

When I saw all of the beautiful heirloom tomatoes at the market, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them....

It uses the best summer vegetables & herbs (peppers, tomatoes & basil - you can add cucumbers, too).  The best part is all you have to do is chop vegetables, stir together a dressing and make croutons - which, by the way, is much easier than you'd think!

Heirloom Tomato
Panzanella

Croutons :

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small loaf of good bread (6 cups)

1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
Sea Salt & Pepper

Vegetables :
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pound of tomatoes (I used heirloom tomatoes)
1 yellow bell pepper
1/4 red onion 

4 large basil leaves

3 cups of arugula

Dressing :
1 teaspoon garlic
1/2 teaspoon Dijon
3 tablespoons White Wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For Croutons :

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and place them on a baking sheet.  Drizzle the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake for 7-10, tossing after ever couple of minutes until slightly browned.

For the Vegetables :
Cut the tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers into 1/2-inch cubes.  Cut onion into thin slices.  Add all of the vegetables to a bowl along with chopped fresh basil.

For the Dressing :
Whisk together dressing ingredients with a fork.  Pour over vegetables.  Add croutons just before serving.