Panzanella: A Fabulous Italian Bread Dish

Tomatoes are one of the most versatile and flexible vegetables, and what you can do with them is only limited by your imagination. Below, you will find a recipe, which is one creative way of showing this delicious vegetable’s versatility.

In order to make Panzanella or Italian style bread appetizer, you will need the following ingredients:

6 cups day-old crusty peasant-style bread, cut or torn into bite size pieces
1/3 cup to ¼ cup olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced 
2 table spoons balsamic vinegar
4 medium tomatoes diced
¾ cup red onion, sliced
10 fresh basil leaves, shredded
½ cup pitted green olives, halved
1 cup mozzarella cheese (marinated, if desired), cut into bite size pieces

Before anything else, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Toss the bread in 1/3 cup olive oil, sea salt, pepper, and garlic. When everything is fully coated, lay the bread on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the bread has turned into a golden brown color.

Remove the bread from the oven and cool slightly. In a separate bowl, whisk together ¼ cup olive oil and vinegar. Stir the toasted bread with the rest of the ingredients. Finally, add the vinaigrette. Let stand for about 20 minutes before serving, in order for the flavors to be fully absorbed and blended.

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Panzanella: A Fabulous Italian Bread Appetizer

In order to make Panzanella or Italian style bread, you will need the following ingredients:

6 cups day-old crusty peasant-style bread, cut or torn into bite size pieces
1/3 cup to ¼ cup olive oil
Sea salt and pepper to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced 
2 table spoons balsamic vinegar
4 medium tomatoes cut into small wedges
¾ cup red onion, sliced
10 fresh basil leaves, shredded
½ cup pitted green olives, halved
1 cup mozzarella cheese (marinated, if desired), cut into bite size pieces

Before anything else, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Toss the bread in 1/3 cup olive oil, sea salt, pepper, and garlic. When everything is full coated, lay the bread on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the bread has turned into a golden brown color.

Remove the bread from the oven and cool slightly. In a separate bowl, whisk together ¼ cup olive oil and vinegar. Stir the toasted bread with the rest of the ingredients. Finally, add the vinaigrette. Let the salad stand for about 20 minutes before serving, in order for the flavors to be fully absorbed and blended.

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Oil and Vinegar Vessels have been adapted for the 21st century. Olive oil and vinegar are no longer buzz words; they are a huge part of our diet. The U.S. has been behind the curve with olive oil and vinegar but is making huge strides to get in step with the international diet trend that is thousands of years old. Cooking with olive oil to produce healthy unsaturated fat dishes for the U.S. tables in restaurants and homes has taken the nation by storm. Cooking with olive oil in the Mediterranean has caused a global spread of the use of olive oil to nations that do not even grow olives. The heart healthy olive oil is recommended for salads, pasta, meat rubs and marinades in addition to replacing other vegetable or animal oils for cooking. The oil and vinegar vessels need to be functionable.

Balsamic vinegar is the natural companion to olive oil that compliments the cooked or uncooked dish. Balsamic vinegar is a “wine like” product, produced with grapes, aged in oak casks, with no alcohol, and valued by the oldest age. Balsamic vinegar becomes thicker as it gets older and takes less to flavor your dish. The quality balsamic vinegar starts in an oak barrel and is stored for a minimum of 4 years, and then is distributed in glass bottles. The balsamic vinegar vessel for dispensing should always be glass to prevent a taste robbing acidic reaction with a metal container. Balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing for salads is the most popular use for this vinegar. Bread dipping with balsamic vinegar and olive oil is quickly over taking the popularity of dressing, but both uses are growing exponentially worldwide! Balsamic vinegar and olive oil for bread dipping are no longer “just Italian” cuisine. Fine restaurants and family tables serve this delicacy as an accoutrement to the main dish regardless of the dish’s national origin.

Vinaigrette has become very popular. The combining of oil and vinegar to make an emulsion for salads and desserts have recipe authors rushing to the printer to be published. The combining of oil and vinegar gives a different texture and taste than when used separately. Every imaginable type of oil and vinegar has been used to make vinaigrettes. The vinaigrette serving vessel or mixing bottle has perplexed servers for years; do you use two separate bottles for each function, a combo bottle or a bowl and a bottle?

Dipping dish vessels specifically for oil and vinegar are new to the U.S. But dipping dishes at the restaurant and home are becoming a must. Choosing a dipping dish that distributes both the oil and vinegar precisely as the consumer desires it can be a challenge. Some imported dipping dishes can only be used for decorative purposes due to lead paint. Bread dipping has become such a popular event at all tables that this appetizer crosses all national cuisines.

There are very few dispensers for oil and vinegar vessels that are functional, convenient and pleasing in the table presentation. Until recently, the same type of vessels that have been used for hundreds of years, held the oil and or vinegar at the stove or on the table. Incorporating eye appeal and functionality, Jincor introduces oil and vinegar vessels that have astounded restaurants and homes worldwide. The traditional oil and vinegar cruets are found in a pair. Jincor has designed a pair of conventional Drizzle Cruets that eliminate the “drips”, and drizzle the gourmet nectars precisely where you want it! A new oil and vinegar Grape Cruet combines both liquids in one vessel with European design and elegant see through glass. The Vinaigrette Dressing Bottle has been designed to mix the oil and vinegar emulsion and then serve the vinaigrette from the same bottle with a drizzle spout. Dipping dishes abound, some with lead paint from outside the U.S., some with quaint reservoirs and easily chipped. Jincor has a designed a revolutionary, restaurant grade bread Dipping Dish that has eye appeal as well as being highly functional. This dipping dish has the ability to keep oil separate or blend with the vinegar. The floral image produced while filling, gives the viewer a uniquely different design with each use. These are extremely unique one of a kind quality vessels ideal for any gift occasion.

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For a superb crostini use roasted juicy sweet cherry tomatoes combined with a dash of white balsamic vinegar and serve on slices of toasted French baguette.This recipe will take up to forty minutes to prepare and about forty-five minutes in the oven. However, if you wish, you can be prepare this dish a day in advance. Ensure that the tomato mixture is stored in an appropriate airtight container and refrigerated. This mixture should be removed from the refrigerator at least two hours prior to serving. The toasted baguette should also be kept in an airtight container but kept at room temperature.

For eight servings you will need the following:
1 lb of halved fresh cherry tomatoes
One large French baguette (The baguette should then be sliced into diagonals)
Olive oil drizzle
One garlic clove that has been put through a press and crushed
One and a half teaspoons of white balsamic vinegar

1. Before preparing your ingredients ensure that your oven is preheated to a temperature of 180 degrees centigrade.
2. Whilst the oven is preheating, line two large baking trays with grease proof paper to prevent your tomatoes from sticking to the tray.
3. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and place on the baking tray with the flat side of the tomato facing up.
4. Before baking the tomatoes, use a little salt and pepper to season.
5. Remove tomatoes from the oven after three quarters of an hour or when the tomatoes appear to be softened and have a golden tinge.
6. Whilst the tomatoes have been set aside to cool, prepare the French baguette slices by placing on two baking sheets. Ensure that each slice does not overlap another. Spray the entire single layer of bread slices with olive oil.
7. After eight minutes turn over all the bread slices and mist with olive oil. Return to the oven and bake until each slice is golden brown and crisp.
8. While you have set aside the toasted bread to cool, place the tomatoes, garlic and vinegar in a large bowl and mix together. You are now ready to either top the sliced toasted baguette with the tomato mixture or serve in a bowl separately.

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Bread dipping kit, a gourmet Italian gift

The bread dipping kit is a popular Italian gift for all occasions. A bread dipping appetizer brings the estate Tuscan cuisine to any table. This gourmet food gift includes imported Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Italy, fine quality stoneware dipping dishes and a premium blend of bread dipping seasoning. All that is required with the bread dipping kit, is a fresh baked loaf of bread which you can pick up at a local supermarket or bake shop. A French baguette or Italian bread loaf works well when sliced and served with extra virgin dipping oil drizzled over the Italian blend of bread dipping herbs and spices.

Each bread dipping kit comes with a bread dipping oil recipe. The Cruets Gourmet dipping herbs and spices is a blend of oregano, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, parsley, and fragrant basil. In just a few minutes you can hydrate the dipping herbs with water, drain, then drizzle oil over until covered. Stir mixture and add additional olive oil and serve with fresh bread.

Cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil is the best quality olive oil you can buy. Italian Masserie Olive Oil, which was selected for this bread dipping gift set, has a wonderful light flavor that is excellent for making dipping sauces and dipping oils where you do not want the olive oil taste to dominate the herbs and spices flavors.

A bread dipping appetizer using quality extra virgin olive oil, is a tasteful and healthy addition to any meal. The health benefits ascribed to the Mediterranean Diet is a plus to the gourmet cuisine that is so popular.

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Old World Mediterranean cuisine has long been loved by people from many different cultures. One Old World Mediterranean favorite is bread dipping. This simple, yet satisfying tradition has been making a come-back over the past few years not only because of its health value but also because of its flavor.

For years, hosts and hostesses have been serving chips & dip, cheese & crackers, vegetable & deli trays, and other common party foods to their guests. These hors d’oeuvres get eaten of course, but why not try something new? Imagine how satisfied party guests would be if they were served a slice of warm bread along with their choice of a variety of delicious olive oil bread dipping sauces.

The average host or hostess may think that this sounds too good to be true. Surprisingly, though, this appetizer is quite simple to prepare and, when you consider the price of quality potato chips, pre-cut vegetables, and other party foods, it is not very costly, either. Depending on the size of your party, all that you will need is two or three of the baguette loaves that you can purchase fresh at most grocery stores, a bottle of extra virgin olive oil, and some Italian herbs and spices. When you are shopping for your ingredients, remember that the quality of the olive oil you choose will make or break your bread dip. The higher the quality of your olive oil and other ingredients, the better your hors d’oeuvres will be.

To prepare your bread dip the first thing that you will need to do is re-hydrate any dried herbs and spices that you will use in the recipe. To do this, just soak them in a shallow plate of water for about 15 minutes. This will bring back their flavor and they will taste as if they were still fresh. Once the herbs and spices are done rehydrating, drain the water and add them to some extra virgin olive oil. For a unique flair, you can also add other ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes, grated parmesan cheese, flavored vinegars, or lemon juice. If you use the time that your spices are re-hydrating to slice or cube the bread, then in less than half an hour you will have a mouth-watering appetizer that most guests will love.

Food presentation also plays a significant role in a fun and successful party. The use of a bread dipping dish instead of a plate or serving platter will provide a good foundation for the arrangement of your bread dips. Also, if you are using balsamic vinegar in any of the dips, you can create designs in the dip instead of just mixing them together. The breads can be either cubed or sliced and served on a platter that complements the bread dipping dish. If you wish to slice the bread, be sure to slice it at an angle for an attractive detail.

For some variety, you can serve a veggie tray along with your bread slices. Fresh, steamed, and grilled vegetables all go great with olive oil bread dips. Guests will also appreciate a variety of breads to choose form. Focaccia, sourdough, Italian, French, and other fresh-baked breads all work well for bread dipping. Another variation is to use the bread dips at dinner parties. They can be used as salad dressings, they can be drizzled over vegetable and pasta dishes, or they can also be used to marinade meats.

Make your guests happy by bringing a taste of the Old World to your next party. Bread dipping is healthy, fast, and appetizing so it is sure to please a wide array of guests.

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Makes 4 servings

True Italian bruschetta is grilled over a wood fire. As this may be impractical for many, a stove top grill works fine, and even a ridged cast iron skillet or toaster oven will work as well.

Ingredients:

½ loaf Italian sourdough bread, (you can substitute any crusty bread)
4 large garlic cloves peeled and pressed through a garlic press
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Coarse sea salt
Black pepper fresh ground

Method:

Cut the bread diagonally into ¾ inch slices.
Grill the bread until it is brown on both sides.
Remove the bread from the grill and spread pressed garlic on each of the bread slices.
Place the bread on a serving platter and drizzle with olive oil.
Sprinkle with a little coarse Sea Salt and fresh ground pepper. Serve immediately, and always offer additional olive oil on the side.
You can also offer olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a dipping bowl on the side.

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