Panzanella Salad

I was craving a panzanella salad because I bought some delicious multi-grain bread from Costco.  So I threw this together for dinner last night and had to make it again for lunch because it was soooo good!

Here is the ingredients picture.  Unfortunately, I was too excited to eat it once it was all made so I didn't get a finished product picture:)  The key to this salad is good bread since it is a "bread" salad so don't skimp on the quality of bread! Also, you might think this salad needs more lettuce once you get it all tossed but it is really about the bread so it's not supposed to have tons of lettuce.  In fact, traditionally panzanella salads don't have any lettuce but I like to use a little.

-One loaf 2 day old whole grain artisan bread from Costco or any other bakery bread you choose cut into cubes

-about 1/4-1/2 cup fresh mozzerella cheese cubed(use the fresh kind packed in milk, not the dry stuff!)

-2 Tbsp Diced Red onion

-large handful grape tomatoes cut in half

-small handful kalamata olives cut in half

-4-5 fresh basil leaves sliced thin or chopped

-3-4 artichoke hearts chopped

-3-4 leaves romaine lettuce chopped, or you can use a handful of mixed greens or arugula

-Extra virgin olive oil

-balsamic vinegar

-salt and pepper

I chopped up the whole loaf of bread and then kept it in the bag on my counter so it would dry out but not get too stale.  Then add the first 8 ingredients together in a large salad bowl.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  You want to use about a 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper.  Then drizzle about 2 Tbsp of olive oil and 3 tsp balsamic over the top.  Toss all together.  Taste and add more salt, pepper, vinegar or oil to taste.  Serve immediately.  

Recipe by Rachel Hall