Summer Essentials: Panzanella Salad and Herb Scissors

For those of us in the northern hemisphere, this weekend serves as the unofficial kick-off to summer. So pull the tarp off of the grill, dust off the cooler, and pour yourself a cold drink – it’s time to hit the outdoors. Of course, as the heat cranks up, we may opt to step away from the charcoal inferno in the Weber to eat something a bit more refreshing. So what better source for summer inspiration is there than the aptly named Barefoot Contessa.

Here we share one of Ina Garten’s most refreshing and delicious salads, along with a recommendation for some herb shears that will make short work of those ingredients.

Panzanella Salad

• 3 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small French bread, cut into cubes (6 cups)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 large ripe tomatoes, cut into cubes
• 1 English cucumber, seeded, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into cubes
• 1 yellow pepper, cut into cubes
• 1/2 red onion, sliced thinly
• 20 large basil leaves, coarsely chopped
• 3 Tablespoons drained capers

Vinaigrette

• 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 3 Tablespoons champagne vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon blk pepper

1. Heat the bread cubes and salt in the oil until nicely browned. Keep tossing the bread over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Add more oil if needed. Remove from pan and let cool.

2. For the vinaigrette, whisk together the ingredients above.

3. Mix prepared vegetables, toss with bread cubes and dress with the vinaigrette. Eat immediately, or let stand for about 30 minutes for flavors to mix.

Chop herbs so fast you’ll make an Iron Chef blush

These are some shearious shears.

This is the closest you’ll get to living out your Edward Scissorhands fantasy… Due to their multi-blade design, these shears let you dice, chop, or mince herbs directly into the pan or onto the dish! And one less dirty cutting board is one less dish to clean later.

[Disclaimer: other than saving you time–and potentially fingers–we derive no benefit from your decision to purchase these.]

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Have a favorite summer recipe you’d like to share?

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