June 5

This bread salad is easy to find in every Tuscan restaurant. It was created to finish up the bread from dinner the night before because the Italians don’t waste anything. Good ripe tomatoes make this a nice warm weather salad.
Serves 4.

Ingredients:
About 2lbs stale bread  (use a firm crusted bread—Tuscan or ciabatta. French is too soft)
2 Red tomatoes
1 onion
1 cucumber
1 celery
1 bunch of basil
Olive oil
Red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
 
Preparation:
Break up bread and soak in cold water until it softens. Squeeze out as much water as possible. Mince bread and crumble into a large mixing bowl.
 
Dice tomatoes, slice basil into thin strips, slice onion celery, and cucumber. Combine all with Bread.
 
Dressing:
Prepare a simple vinaigrette with red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil.