All you have to have for this salad is leftovers and remnants.

This stuff. ^ Where do I begin?

This is Panzenella. Also known as bread salad, Garbage Pail Salad and Clean Out The Fridge Salad. It’s also what I personally like to call Carb City Salad. 🙂 🙂 🙂 For some reason that reminds me of a song by the Black Eyed Peas. (shruggs shoulders…) This is one of the best things that has ever come from my kitchen when I have nothing actually in my kitchen. You don’t need much, and this is a fantastic way to use the rest of whatever you do have including herb remnants and stale bread.

This particular Panzanella was created with a few slices of leftover French bread, a scant handful of cherry tomatoes, a few leaves of fresh Basil, leftover chopped Parsley, some onion, balsamic vinegar and a drizzle of good olive oil. See what I mean? All you have to have for this is leftovers and remnants. Maybe we should call this carpet salad.

I always feel like I’m doing something good and healthy for my family when I put dinner on the table and it includes a salad. It just sounds healthy right? So not only is this a great way to clean out your fridge, but it’s a fantastic way to add something healthy to the dinner table. Yes, even including all of the bread!

Blistered Cherry Tomato & Herb Panzanella

• 1/2 to 1 loaf bread, your choice, cubed or torn, stale is best
• 1/2 container cherry or grape tomatoes
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 handful fresh Parsley, chopped
• 1 handful fresh Basil, chopped
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup good olive oil
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup good balsamic vinegar
• Salt & pepper to taste

    

Directions

Place tomatoes and onions on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then sprinkle lightly with salt & pepper. Place in a 425 degree oven and roast tomatoes about 20-30 minutes or until slightly blistered. Set aside.

Place bread on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Place in the oven and bake at 425 for about 15 minutes or until golden & toasted.

In a large bowl, toss bread, tomatoes and all remaining ingredients. Drizzle with additional oil and vinegar and let sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to incorporate.

** This can also be prepared on the grill by adding bread to a grill basket for toasting and blistering tomatoes in a foil packet. This is a neat way to prepare the salad as it adds just a hint of smokiness to the flavor. **

Other options to include could be stone fruits such as peaches and nectarines, roasted grapes and flavor infused olive oils.

Life is too short to eat ugly food ya’ll.