My Summer Panzanella Salad is light, fresh, and perfect for hot weather! Ripe tomatoes are mixed with fresh basil, crispy bread lightly coated with olive oil and seasonings, mozzarella cheese. This recipe is a summer MUST!
Heat a small skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 rounds (pour twice around the pan) of olive oil. Take one clove of garlic (peeled) and smash it with the flat side of a knife. Add the garlic pieces to the oil. Stir around a minute and then add the cubes of bread to the pan. Sprinkle with 1 tsp or Italian seasoning, a good pinch of salt, and a little black pepper. Let the bread cook in the pan until slightly crispy.
Dice the tomatoes and add them to a large bowl. Mince the other garlic clove and add it to the tomatoes. Add another good pinch of salt, some black pepper, and 1 tsp of red wine vinegar. Let the tomatoes sit for 15-20 minutes.
Remove the bread from the heat and add to a separate bowl. While the bread is still warm, add the capers to the bowl of bread and mix well.
Take a handful of basil leaves, stack them on top of each other, roll them up lengthwise, and cut into strips.
Cut the mozzarella cheese into bitesize pieces.
Add the bread, cheese, and basil to the bowl with the tomatoes. Gently mix together. Season with salt and pepper if needed.