Panzanella salad

Summer salads, but make it sexy

I repeat for the people at the back… SALADS ARE NOT BORING IF YOU DO THEM RIGHT. If I get served a sad little bowl of limp lettuce with two chopped cherry tomatoes and a half-hearted drizzle of balsamic glaze, I will cry. It’s depressing. Nobody wants that.

Now THIS, this is a salad to get excited about. Panzanella salad. We’re talking crunchy toasted sourdough chunks, juicy ripe tomatoes, tangy banana shallots, salty little anchovies for oomph, loads of fresh basil, a glug of good olive oil, red wine vinegar, and of course, a big creamy ball of burrata because carbs + cheese = true happiness. The bread soaks up all those gorgeous tomatoey juices and tangy vinaigrette, turning every bite into something you genuinely want to write home about.

It’s the kind of rustic, unfussy dish you’d eat at a sunny Tuscan farmhouse with a glass of wine in hand—except you’re probably in your back garden surrounded by wasps and cling film, but yano, vibes are vibes.

FAQs

Why stale sourdough?
Day-old sourdough has the structure to soak up all those amazing juices without turning to mush. You want crispy edges and squidgy centres—not a bread soup. And I don’t know why, but there’s nothing worse than soggy bread.

Will it taste fishy with anchovies?
Not at all! Anchovies melt into the dressing and give you a salty, savoury oomph (a.k.a. umami) without tasting overtly fishy. But leave them out if you’re not into them—no anchovy shaming here. Although at some point, please give them a try.

What can I serve it with?
This is the ultimate BBQ side dish. It pairs beautifully with grilled fish (I usually go for cod), roast chicken, or just serve as a main with a cold glass of something nice. It’s hearty, fresh, and packs enough punch to stand on its own.

How long will it keep?
Honestly? Like most salads, this is best eaten fresh. But if you’ve got leftovers, it’ll still be delish for lunch the next day—just expect the bread to soften further. Add extra toasted croutons if you want to revive the crunch and hold back on the wet bits til you’re eating if possible.

Want more?

I know you probs don’t look at me and think that’s a gal who proper loves a salad, especially when the majority of my recipes and content is pure beige, but I do, and you can find more salads like my panzanella salad and other delicious lunch inspo over on my recipe page.