Tuscan Tomato Bread Salad Recipe

Tuscan Tomato Bread Salad Recipe

  • 4 cups lightly packed baby spinach leaves
  • 4 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 1 pound Safeway SELECT Artisan Ciabatta Bread
  • 3 1/2 pounds soft-ripe tomatoes, peeled if desired, and cored
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup Safeway SELECT Verdi Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/3 cup Safeway SELECT Red Wine Vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh jalapeno chilies
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 (12 ounce) jar canned, peeled roasted red peppers, cut into wide strips
  • 1 cup olives, pitted
  • 1/2 cup capers, drained
  • 2 (2 ounce) cans anchovy fillets, drained
  1. Rinse and drain spinach and basil; wrap in towels. Chill in a plastic bag.
  2. Meanwhile, cut bread into 1-inch chunks and put in an 11- by 17-inch roasting pan. Bake in a 350 degree F oven until chunks are light golden and soft parts of bread are crisp, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool.
  3. Cut tomatoes into 1- to 2-inch chunks and place in a large bowl. Scoop juice from cutting board into bowl and add garlic, oil, vinegar, chilies, and salt and pepper to taste. Fifteen minutes before serving, gently mix bread, red peppers, and olives into the tomato mixture. Stir it occasionally.
  4. Immediately before serving, gently mix in spinach and basil, scatter salad with capers, and crisscross anchovies on top.