Artichoke Panzanella

Panzanella is a bread salad traditionally made with tomatoes and seasoned with olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, and fresh basil. Many recipes also call for fresh mozzarella and onion. In this recipe, I put a Greek spin on panzanella by using artichoke hearts, feta cheese, fresh parsley, lemon zest, and a Kalamata olive bread. I loved it so much the first time, that I craved it for a full two weeks before I broke down late one night, went to the store, and bought all the ingredients to make it again. My husband and I ate that, and drank a glass of Ponzi Pinot Noir Reserve, for dinner at eight o’ clock. It was divine. And now that I’m typing this recipe up, I’m craving it again… Will the cycle ever end? I kind of hope not!

*Note: If you can’t find olive bread, use any country-style crusty bread and throw some Kalamata, or Green olives, into the artichoke mixture.

Ingredients:

½ loaf Kalamata olive bread (or Green olive bread, if you prefer), cut into large cubes
2 tomatoes, diced
1 jar of artichoke hearts, drained and cut in half
feta cheese, to taste
a handful of fresh parsley, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
olive oil
sea salt
fresh ground pepper (optional)
lemon zest

Guidelines:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large ovenproof casserole dish, toss the cubed bread with plenty of olive oil and sea salt. Bake in the oven while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

In a medium skillet, sauté the garlic in olive oil just long enough to release its flavor. Add the tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and lemon zest. Cook until just heated through. Add the fresh parsley and fresh ground pepper (optional).

Remove the bread cubes from the oven. Toss the artichoke heart mixture into the bread cubes. Sprinkle feta cheese over the top, and return the pan to the oven. Bake for about five minutes, just long enough to warm the cheese, or if you prefer your bread crispier, bake until you reach your desired texture.

Serve with herb roasted chicken breasts, and/or a glass of your favorite wine.

Enjoy!