Panzanella With Fresh Mozzarella

Panzanella.jpeg

This is a recipe from my go-to cookbook this summer: Milk Street: Tuesday Nights Mediterranean. It involves crusty white bread and creamy fresh mozzarella cheese.

Panzanella is an Italian bread salad that showcases the taste and beauty of in-season tomatoes and fresh herbs. It makes for a quick, healthy, and delicious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 LB. Ripe tomatoes, cored and cut into 1” chunks (I like to use tomatoes on the vine)

  • Kosher salt and black pepper

  • 1/2 Small red onion, thinly sliced

  • 3 TBS. Sherry vinegar

  • 8 OZ. Crusty white bread, sliced 1/2” thick and torn into bite-sized pieces (A day-old baguette from Spread is perfect for this!)

  • 3 TBS. Extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to serve

  • 8 OZ. Fresh mozzarella cheese

  • 2 TBS. Heavy cream

  • 2 TSP. Grated lemon zest

  • 1 C. Lightly packed fresh basil

  • 1/2 C. Lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, toss the tomatoes with 1 TSP. salt; set aside.

  • In a small bowl, stir together the red onion, vinegar, and 1/4 TSP. salt; set aside.

  • In a 12” skillet over medium heat, toss the bread with the olive oil and 1/2 TSP. salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp and light golden brown. Immediately transfer to the bowl with the tomatoes and toss. Let stand for 10 minutes.

  • Tear the mozzarella into bite-sized chunks and place in a small bowl. Stir in the cream, lemon zest, and a 1/4 TSP. each of salt and pepper.

  • Using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer the onion to the tomato-bread mixture, reserving the vinegar.

  • Add the basil and parsley and toss.

  • Taste and season with salt, pepper, and some of the reserved vinegar, if needed.

  • Transfer to a serving dish and then top with the cheese and a generous drizzle of oil.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do! If so, definitely be sure to check out the Milk Street cookbook I referenced above. It has 124 other recipes that are as equally divine as this one!

Serves 4

-Jamie ❤️🧀

Appetizers, SaladJamie Tomassettisummer, mozzarella, olive oilComment