Zesty Tuscan Sunshine: Jamie Oliver Panzanella Salad Recipe

Panzanella salad breathes vibrant life into forgotten bread, weaving a tapestry of rustic Italian charm.

Stale bread transforms into crisp, succulent morsels that sing with Mediterranean zest.

Juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and crunchy bread cubes dance together in a culinary romance.

Each forkful bursts with sun-drenched flavors that transport you to a Tuscan countryside.

Olive oil and vinegar whisper stories of traditional cooking, turning simple ingredients into a spectacular feast.

Robust textures and bold tastes create a symphony that celebrates waste-free, soulful cuisine.

This salad isn’t just a dish, it’s an edible masterpiece waiting to dazzle your taste buds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Jamie Oliver Panzanella Salad

• Rustic Bread: Select day-old, crusty bread with hearty texture for optimal crunchiness.

• Ripe Tomatoes, Red Peppers: Choose vine-ripened, firm vegetables with vibrant color and no blemishes.
• Red Onions: Pick crisp, compact onions with smooth, shiny outer layers.

• Capers, Anchovies: Opt for briny, salt-packed varieties in glass jars for intense, authentic Mediterranean taste.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar: Select cold-pressed, high-quality olive oil with grassy notes and aged vinegar with balanced acidity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Use coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for robust, clean flavor.

• Fresh Basil: Choose bright green leaves with no wilting, ensuring maximum aromatic intensity.

Tools for Jamie Oliver Panzanella Salad

• Baking Tray: Large, flat surface for drying bread chunks and achieving perfect crispiness.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining all salad ingredients and creating the dressing.
• Hands: Best tool for mixing ingredients and ensuring even distribution of flavors.
• Colander or Strainer: Useful for draining capers and removing excess water.
• Kitchen Knife: Sharp blade for chopping and preparing vegetables and herbs.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of salt, pepper, vinegar, and oil.

How to Prepare Jamie Oliver Panzanella Salad

• Craft Rustic Bread Base

Tear bread into hearty chunks and spread across a baking tray. Let these pieces air-dry in a cozy corner for about half an hour, transforming them into crispy morsels that will add delightful texture to your dish.

• Awaken Vibrant Tomato Flavors

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and gently massage salt and pepper into ripe tomatoes. Softly blot capers to remove excess moisture, preparing them for their starring role in this Mediterranean-inspired creation.

• Blend Salad Symphony

Toss together all your prepared ingredients – juicy tomatoes, crunchy bread pieces, zesty capers, sweet peppers, sharp onions, and optional briny anchovies. This is where magic begins to happen as flavors start dancing together.

• Whisk Tangy Liquid Gold

Drizzle red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil over the mixture. Use your hands to massage and meld these ingredients, letting each component whisper its unique story. Taste and adjust seasoning, allowing your palate to guide the final flavor profile.

• Sprinkle Herbal Finale

Lovingly tear fresh basil leaves and shower them across the salad. Gently fold everything together, creating a gorgeous medley that celebrates summer’s bounty and Mediterranean simplicity.

Tips and Variations for Jamie Oliver Panzanella Salad

Select hearty artisan or day-old bread for maximum texture and flavor absorption. Rustic sourdough or country-style loaves work wonderfully to create delightful crispy chunks.

Experiment with different herbs like oregano, parsley, or thyme to elevate the salad’s Mediterranean profile. Fresh herbs add vibrant notes and depth to the classic panzanella recipe.

Replace anchovies with grilled chicken, tuna, or plant-based protein options for a personalized twist. These alternative proteins can transform the salad into a complete meal while maintaining its traditional essence.

Incorporate seasonal vegetables like roasted zucchini, grilled eggplant, or sweet corn during summer months. Fresh, local produce will enhance the salad’s natural freshness and provide exciting texture variations.

Serving Ideas for Jamie Oliver Panzanella Salad

• Serve Alongside Grilled Proteins: Pair this vibrant bread salad with grilled chicken, fish, or lamb to create a complete Mediterranean-style meal that bursts with fresh flavors.
• Enjoy as a Standalone Lunch: Make this salad the star of your midday meal, perfect for hot summer days when you crave something light, refreshing, and satisfying.
• Create a Picnic Centerpiece: Pack this salad in a portable container for outdoor dining, transforming it into a delightful picnic dish that showcases rustic Italian culinary traditions.
• Top with Creamy Cheese: Sprinkle some crumbled feta or fresh mozzarella over the salad to add a creamy texture and enhance the overall taste profile of this classic dish.

Storage Notes for Jamie Oliver Panzanella Salad

• Maximize Freshness: Store this vibrant panzanella salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep bread chunks crisp by adding them just before serving.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and make dressing separately, storing components in sealed containers for quick assembly when hunger strikes.
• Smart Serving Tips: Allow salad to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before eating to enhance flavor depth and soften bread slightly.
• Ingredient Preservation: Wrap leftover ingredients like herbs and capers in damp paper towels inside sealed containers to maintain optimal freshness for future meals.

Rustic Jamie Oliver Panzanella Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Fresh summer vegetables and crusty bread combine in jamie oliver’s panzanella salad for a rustic Italian classic. Crusty bread soaks up tangy dressing while crisp vegetables deliver robust Mediterranean flavors you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 600 g (21 oz) ripe mixed tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 200 g (7 oz) stale ciabatta loaf
• 280 g (10 oz) jarred red peppers, drained and roughly chopped
• 1 small red onion, peeled and very finely sliced
• 1 handful capers, drained
• 8 anchovy fillets in oil, drained and finely sliced (optional)
• 1 bunch fresh basil
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsps red wine vinegar
• 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1. Bread Preparation: Gently tear artisan bread into rustic chunks on a baking tray, allowing them to air-dry in a warm space for half an hour to enhance texture and crispness.
2. Tomato Base: In a large mixing bowl, crush ripe tomatoes with sea salt and black pepper, creating a juicy foundation. Rinse capers and drain thoroughly to remove excess brine.
3. Ingredient Fusion: Combine sliced peppers, thinly sliced onions, dried bread chunks, and optional anchovy fillets into the tomato mixture, creating a vibrant and colorful medley.
4. Dressing and Seasoning: Drizzle red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil over the ingredients, massaging gently with clean hands to ensure even coating. Adjust seasoning by tasting and adding salt, pepper, vinegar, or oil as needed for balanced flavor.
5. Herbal Finale: Delicately tear fresh basil leaves and scatter over the salad, gently folding to distribute the aromatic herbs. Serve immediately as a zesty and refreshing side dish that complements grilled proteins.

Notes

• Bread Texture Tip: Let bread chunks air-dry for 30 minutes to achieve optimal crunchiness and prevent sogginess in the salad.
• Tomato Selection Strategy: Choose perfectly ripe, in-season tomatoes for maximum flavor intensity and natural sweetness.
• Mixing Technique: Use clean hands to gently combine ingredients, ensuring delicate handling prevents ingredient bruising and maintains distinct textures.
• Flavor Balancing Hack: Taste and adjust seasoning gradually, adding vinegar or olive oil incrementally to create a perfectly harmonized dressing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg