Description

A fresh and hearty BLT-inspired panzanella salad, combining crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy croutons tossed in a tangy vinaigrette dressing.

Ingredients

Units Scale

4 slices of bread (preferably day-old or crusty bread, cubed)
1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, for sweetness)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Toast in the oven for about 10-12 minutes or until golden and crispy.
While the bread is toasting, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble into small pieces.
In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, red onion, and fresh basil.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and sugar until the dressing is smooth.
Once the bread is toasted and cooled slightly, add the bread cubes to the bowl with the tomato mixture. Add the crumbled bacon and pour the dressing over the salad.
Toss everything together gently until the bread cubes are soaked with the dressing and the salad is well mixed. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve the BLT panzanella at room temperature or chilled, and enjoy the hearty, refreshing flavors!

Notes

For a lighter version, use whole wheat bread or a gluten-free alternative for the croutons.
If you want to make this salad ahead, store the dressing and croutons separately, and toss everything together just before serving to prevent sogginess.
For extra flavor, you can add some fresh mozzarella or goat cheese crumbles to the salad.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 300
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 15mg