Description
This Cajun Panzanella Salad is a vibrant, flavorful twist on the classic Italian bread salad. Featuring crispy homemade Cajun-seasoned croutons toasted in the oven and mixed with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, basil, and parmesan cheese, it’s tossed with a zesty Italian dressing for a refreshing and hearty dish perfect for warm weather or as a side to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Croutons
- 4 cups crusty bread (such as baguette), cut into croutons
- 1 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Salad
- 1.5 pounds assorted little tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 English cucumber, chopped
- 2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 orange), chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion (adjust to taste)
- 10 large fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup Tony Chachere’s Italian Salad Dressing (or to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with foil to ensure easy cleanup after baking the croutons.
- Prepare and bake croutons: Cut the crusty bread into croutons and spread them evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the creole seasoning and minced garlic over the bread, then drizzle with olive oil. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly so that each crouton is evenly coated. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the croutons turn golden and crispy.
- Assemble the salad: While the croutons bake, chop the tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion then add them to a large mixing bowl. Slice the basil leaves thinly and add to the bowl as well.
- Combine and toss: Allow the croutons to cool slightly before adding them to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour in the Italian salad dressing and toss everything together gently to combine the flavors and allow the dressing to soak into the croutons. Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes before serving for the best taste.
Notes
- Substitute any good crusty bread if baguette is unavailable.
- Adjust seasoning based on your preferred spice level by adding more or less Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning.
- Use fresh vegetables for the best flavor and texture.
- Letting the salad rest for 5 minutes helps the croutons absorb the dressing for a more cohesive dish.
