Can't get enough

Thursday, July 29, 2010 |
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This is one of my all time favorite salads for summer. I have had serious cravings for these yummy ingredients with crunchy on the outside but chewy on the inside bread bites.

I make it a little differently each time depending on what I have on hand. It's a  great recipe for all the veggies that are readily available in garden and farmers markets this time of year. I used roasted garlic ciabatta bread in this salad ~ it was amazing! The dressing always remains the same. Ina Garten has the best one that I've tried so far and, believe me, I've tested out a variety through the years.

A true panzanella recipe doesn't call for lettuce but for my family, I toss in baby romaine. You would never find this in my grandmother's recipe.


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It pairs ever so nicely with lobster right off the boat.This is a huge benefit of living in New England.

A few {non smelly} lobster tips we've learned along the way:

*We boil our lobsters outdoors in our turkey fryer ~ even in the winter
*Remove to a cookie sheet, snip the claws, and make a long cut under the tail. Place on the grill for 5-10 minutes to "dry" them out. This eliminates the liquid from making a mess of your meal.
*None of the cooking takes place in our kitchen so I don't have a lingering fishy smell.


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Panzanella
(a general idea of what I add)

Small loaf of firm bread (ciabatta or french) cut into large bite size pieces
Olive oil ~ enough to coat bottom of pan
Pinch of kosher salt

2~3 large ripe tomatoes cut into large bite size chunks
1 large green pepper cut into large bits size chunks
1 large yellow (or orange) pepper cut into large bits size chunks
1 large red pepper cut into large bits size chunks
2 small fresh banana peppers ~ if you like a little kick
3 gourmet cucumbers
4~5 radishes
3 Tbs capers drained
25 basil leaves (give or take ~ I use more because we have a ton in our herb garden)
small bowl full baby romaine lettuce

Heat the olive oil to coat the bottom of a pan. Add the bread and pinch of salt. Toss in pan until it is golden brown ~ watch so that they don't burn.

Place remaining ingredients in a large bowl, add bread, and toss with dressing.


Dressing ~ Ina Garten

1 tsp freshly minced garlic
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
3 tbs champagne vinegar
1/2 olive oil (I use less)
1/2 kosher salt
1/4 freshly ground pepper

Whisk ingredients together

Leave A Comment

15 comments:

KK said...

Oh my, that looks like a YUMMY salad! I must make it. SOON! Thank you also for the lobster tips. We do ours outside to but I have never thought of putting them on the grill to dry out. We are so doing that next time we have lobster.

Henley on the Horn said...

You have the best recipes!!! Thank you!

JMW said...

Okay, you've made me really hungry! Sounds like a perfect summer salad. And, I must make Ina's dressing - delicious!

Suburban Princess said...

I use Ina's dressing for everything! I love it! My fave is baby greens, goat cheese, pears or apples and her dressing...yum!

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Oh my! I think you can guess what we are having for dinner;)!

I am off to the market! Thanks for the inspiration!

Enjoy!
Cathy

French Basketeer.com said...

Yum-my! I am now in the mood for a lobster; and have to give that salad dressing a try, though what is the first ingredient; minced something?

annechovie said...

I am crazy for panzanella AND lobster, Jo! Looks scrumptious. xx

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Jo,

Looks like a yummy salad and accompanied with the lobster ~delicious.
Thanks for the recipe and the tips.

Happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Casey said...

Wowza! I'm hungry now!

fleur de lis cottage said...

Oh my goodness, that looks so good. YOu have awesome recipes and your pictures look so yummy!

carolinagirl said...

Delicious! Love your photos!

Hamptontoes said...

I'm a salad gal and one that loves to be in the kitchen whipping up meals! I'm making your salad tomorrow...it was calling me name!

Jessica Ryan said...

Love panzanella... love salads... YUM!

René said...

Yummy! I love this salad and only tried it for the first time recently from the recipe at Stone Gable. You are lucky to be close to fresh lobster and thanks for those tips. The lingering fish smell is never good in the home :(

-Rene

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh! I want to come to dinner at your house! That salad looks AMAZING. Just what I need to be eating for dinner. Delish!!!

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