Panzanella

This classic Florentine salad of bread and tomatoes is ideal for a summer lunch. Until the twentieth century the salad was based on onions rather than tomatoes, but its evolution takes advantage of tomatoes when they’re at their best.

Recipe taken from The Meat Free Monday Cookbook.  Foreword by Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney.  Published by Kyle Books.  Photography by Tara Fisher.

Find more great-tasting recipes on the Meat Free Monday website.*

*Please note that this website also produces vegetarian recipes.

Serves 4

Method

• Cut the ciabatta in half and brush the cut sides with a little extra virgin olive oil. Heat a ridged grill pan or normal grill and toast the ciabatta until crisp and golden.
• Rub the peeled garlic clove over the cut sides of the bread, tear the bread into rough chunks and set aside.
• In a small bowl whisk together 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, the crushed garlic clove and the red wine vinegar. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and add the freshly chopped flatleaf parsley.
• In a large bowl, mix together the bread and baby capers, plum tomatoes, sliced onion, cucumber, sliced celery, basil leaves, and black olives, and toss with the dressing. Season to taste.