Vibrant Italian Bread Salad (Printable View)

Enjoy a vibrant salad combining grilled bread and fresh vegetables for summer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 4 thick slices of rustic country bread (about 250 g)
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 garlic clove, halved

→ Vegetables

04 - 400 g ripe mixed tomatoes (heirloom, cherry, or vine), cut into bite-sized pieces
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1 small cucumber, sliced into half-moons
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 handful fresh basil leaves

→ Vinaigrette

09 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - ½ tsp sea salt
13 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush bread slices with olive oil on both sides.
02 - Grill bread for 2–3 minutes per side until crisp and charred. Remove from grill and immediately rub the cut side of the garlic clove over the warm bread.
03 - Tear grilled bread into bite-sized chunks and place in a large salad bowl.
04 - Add tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, red bell pepper, and fresh basil to the bowl with bread.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create the vinaigrette.
06 - Pour vinaigrette over salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and bread to soak up dressing.
07 - Serve at room temperature, garnished with extra basil if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • A celebration of summer’s freshest tomatoes and herbs.
  • Grilled, rustic bread adds smoky texture and depth.
  • Tangy vinaigrette perfectly balances the juicy, crisp vegetables.
  • Easy to prepare in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
  • Vegetarian and ideal for light, healthy meals or entertaining.
02 -
  • Use day-old bread for better texture and absorption of the vinaigrette.
  • Adjust the amount of garlic rubbed on the bread to your liking for subtle or stronger flavor.
  • Let the salad rest at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the bread to soak up the dressing fully.
  • Toast the bread on a charcoal grill if available for a smoky depth.
  • Make the vinaigrette fresh and whisk it well to emulsify for better coating of the ingredients.
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