The Most Delicious Salad aka "Bread Salad"

My in-laws were in town last week and my mother-in-law made the most delicious side salad. Which, I keep referring to as "bread salad". She adapted from Barefoot Contessa recipe for Panzanella.

Salad Ingredients:
Tomatos
Cucumber
Red, Yellow and Green Peppers one of each
Basil
Capers (make sure you drain them, unless you like it REALLY salty)

Cut the tomatoes into quarters and put into a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let the tomatoes drain for almost an hour and then save the juice for the vinaigrette. Then add the cucumbers and peppers and continue to drain.

Croutons:
Hearty stale bread
olive oil
garlic
salt and pepper

Flavor the olive oil with garlic, salt and pepper. Then cube the bread and brown in the olive oil. Trust me this is one of the best parts of the salad.

Vinaigrette:
1 clove of garlic minced
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
3 tbs red wine vinegar
1/2 c olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Leftover tomato juice as needed

About an hour before serving whisk the vinaigrette and add to salad and croutons. Before serving garnish with drained capers and basil.  It is so good I have made it twice since she left and have even added chicken as a one dish dinner. Soooo good!

Enjoy!
xoxo
Kerry