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Gluten-Free Panzanella Salad

September 19, 2019 By Cindy Leave a Comment

I love tomatoes & I love bread! Put the two together 🍅 & 🥖 and we have Panzanella Salad 😋!! This is one of the easiest salads to make and is always a big hit with my family or friends. There are many variations of this Panzanella Salad, but I decided to make this one a Gluten-Free Panzanella Salad. But, you can use whatever bread you like for this recipe. Preferably, firm & crusty so it can still hold together when soaking up the juice of the tomatoes. Yum!

Panzanella Salad, originated in Italy “panmolle” and is a Tuscan chopped salad of soaked stale bread, onions and tomatoes. It often includes cucumbers, sometimes basil and is dressed with olive oil and vinegar.

Do I have to use “stale” bread to make Panzanella?

Definitely not! I actually prefer to use fresh bread and then toast it in an oven. That way, the bread is still soft on the inside but crispy on the outside, which in my opinion, tastes so much better!

How long is Panzanella good for and what can I do with the leftovers?

If you want to make it ahead of time, prepare and mix all of the ingredients except for the bread. I like to eat it within a half hour of mixing the bread in. It soaks in just the right amount of the juices without become too mushy but some people enjoy it even hours later. I haven’t tried this yet, but leftovers from the night before, can be blended in a food processor and probably be made into a delicious soup. I will give a link for that in the future, when I give it a try.

What other ingredients taste good in Panzanella Salad?

I have made many versions of Panzanella salad so here’s your chance to get creative also. You can mix in any of the following:

Red, Yellow & Green Bell Peppers
Capers
Sourdough, Italian, Ciabatta, French Baguette, Rosemary Bread, …
Chopped Greens – Spinach, Arugula, Dandelion, ..
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Asiago Cheese

What can I serve with Panzanella Salad? Can Panzanella Salad be a meal?

Yes, Panzanella Salad can easily be a meal just by adding your favorite protein. My preference is to simply add garbanzo beans or to prepare a side protein such as a vegan sausage/burger. Of course – meat, poultry, seafood works also if you are not on a plant based diet!

How to make Panzanella Salad – Panzanella Ingredients

1- Start with fresh tomatoes!

I’ve waited all summer for the arrival of these organic, red & yellow juicy tomatoes from the CSA I belong to and they are finally here!!

2- Choose your bread!

This is a delicious gluten-free bread that is sold in most markets in the freezer section.

Cut your bread into cubes & toast in the oven until crispy.

3- Prep the rest of your salad ingredients!

Seed & slice the cucumbers.

Cut the red tomatoes into chunks.

Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the red onions, chop the basil & garlic and mix all the ingredients together and you have Panzanella Salad!

Gluten-Free Panzanella Salad

Author: Cindy
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 15
Total Time: 30
Yield: 4 – 6 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Cuisine: Italian

Description

This is a twist on the traditional Tuscan salad recipe, Panzanella Salad, but made with gluten-free bread that is toasted.

Scale

Ingredients

1 1/2 loaf of gluten-free bread (about 3 cups)

olive oil spray

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 english cucumber

3–4 large ripe red tomatoes

1 cup cherry tomatoes (sungold)

1/2 red onion, sliced thin

20 leaves fresh basil, chopped

Dressing:

1 tsp fresh garlic, chopped

3 tbsp champagne vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325°.
Cut the bread into cubes. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Spray with olive oil and season with garlic, salt & pepper. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.
While bread is toasting, prep other ingredients. Peel, halve, seed & slice the cucumber. Cut the tomatoes into large chunks.
Halve the cherry tomatoes. Thinly slice the red onions. Chop the basil.
Prepare the dressing by mixing all the ingredients together.
Place all ingredients (except bread) in a large bowl and mixing thoroughly with the dressing.
When ready to serve, add toasted bread to the serving bowl and gently stir in the tomato mixture. It is best to serve within a half hour of mixing.

Notes

The traditional Panzanella is made with “stale” Italian Bread which is great also (no need to toast)
Capers & Bell Peppers are another great addition to the recipe

Keywords: Panzanella, Gluten-Free, Italian Tomato & Bread Salad, Vegan, Vegetarian

Roasted Cauliflower Steak with Shiitake Mushrooms & Pine Nuts

September 26, 2019 By Cindy Leave a Comment

Why is it called Roasted Cauliflower Steak?

I imagine Roasted Cauliflower got it’s reference to being like a steak because the cauliflower is cut into a steak-like slab. And, with the right mix of flavors and texture, one can create a hearty plant-based meal … like a steak. So for those of you wanting to try a dish that satisfies your savory taste buds, this is the one! I combined some of my favorite ingredients all in one – cauliflower, shiitake mushrooms, broccoli and pine nuts, smothered in a pesto sauce with a hint of thyme.

Is Cauliflower healthy for you?

Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable just like broccoli, kale, and cabbage. It is a rich source of vitamin C, Vitamin K and folate. It provides vital minerals such as calcium and magnesium and is a good source of protein. It has a substantial amount of phytochemicals, unsaturated fats, and essential omega-3 fatty acids.

Top 8 Health Benefits of Cauliflower

Anti-Inflammatory Properties
High in Antioxidants
Aids in Healthy Digestion
Boosts Immune System
Strengthens Bones
Cuts down Risk of Cancer
Helps Prevent Heart Disease & Stroke
Detoxifies your Body

How do I store Cauliflower?

Try and purchase fresh cauliflower that has creamy white florets and bright green leaves, and is free of spots or discoloration. It can store well in the crisper section of the refrigerator for up to 7 days. You can store it whole (or cut into florets), wrapped in plastic or a paper bag to protect the florets from discoloring.

Can I serve Roasted Cauliflower as a meal?

This is a great meal to make when having vegetarian/vegan guests over for dinner. Everything can be made ahead of time and just kept warm in the oven. Then when the guests are ready to eat, simply heat up the pesto sauce, individually plate the ingredients and cover with pesto and top it with thyme. Or you can present it nicely, on a serving platter. If the guests are vegetarian you can top it with a sprinkling of your favorite cheese!

*Roasted Cauliflower Steaks plate so beautifully*

What are other ways to serve Cauliflower?

Side Dish – simply cut the cauliflower into florets for smaller size portions. It can complement almost any type of protein – meat, poultry or seafood.
Cauliflower Rice – place in a food processor and pulse it until you have your desired texture. Sauté in a pan with olive oil.
Crust or Wrap – purchase frozen crust or prepare crust from scratch. Cauliflower wraps are available in most markets now as cauliflower has become very popular.
Mashed – boil and mash as you would potatoes.
Vegetable & dip – served raw or steamed in a Crudité platter.