Starring Tomatoes

The bread may get top billing in this classic dish, but tomatoes are the real stars.

Use the freshest you can find. That shouldn’t be too hard with summer in full swing and ripe tomatoes everywhere.

In true Italian fashion, this simple preparation highlights the quality of the ingredients. Break out your best oil and vinegar too. It is very important that you use stale bread. Slice it the night before and dry it on a countertop if it’s too fresh.

Summer Bread Salad

1/2 pound day-old Italian bread

1 red onion

1 large cucumber

2 large ripe tomatoes

1/2 cup basil leaves

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Cut the bread into slices and place in a shallow bowl. Cover the bread with water and allow it to soak until fully saturated, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the bread and gently but firmly squeeze out the water. Shred the bread by gently pulling at the pieces with your fingers. Place in a large serving bowl.

Dice the onion. Peel the cucumber and cut it in half lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds with a spoon and dice. Dice the tomatoes by cutting them first into 8 wedges, then slicing the wedges in thirds. Add the tomatoes, cucumber and onion to the bread. Tear the basil leaves into pieces and add to the bowl.

Place the oil and vinegar in a small jar, cover and shake to combine. Season the dressing with the salt and pepper to taste. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly. Adjust seasonings with salt, pepper or vinegar to taste. Serve at once or allow to stand at room temperature, covered, up to 2 hours.

6 servings. Each serving: 202 calories; 422 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 11 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 24 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams protein; 2.06 grams fiber.

MENU

Summer Bread Salad

Fresh Fruit

Cookies

GAME PLAN

20 minutes before: Cut up bread.

15 minutes before: Squeeze water from bread.

10 minutes before: Dice cucumber, dice onion and tomatoes.

5 minutes before: Combine oil and vinegar. Toss salad.

STAPLES

Olive oil

Red onion

Red wine vinegar

SHOPPING LIST

Basil

Cucumber

Italian bread

Tomatoes