Spicy Antipasto Panzanella with Honey Everything Bagel Vinaigrette
Get ready because this is a giant flavor bomb in your mouth. Crusty toasted bread, arugula, salami, soppressata, mozzarella cheese, green olives, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion and spicy jalapeños all get tossed together in a sweet honey dressing loaded with everything bagel seasoning.
Prep Time25 minutesmins
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1small shallotchopped
1teaspoongarlicminced
3tablespoonsred wine vinegar
3tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
3tablespoonshoney
1/4teaspoonpepper
1/4teaspoonsalt
1/4teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes
1tablespooneverything bagel seasoning
1sourdough baguettecubed
4ounceshard salamicubed
4ouncessoppressatacubed
1cupmozzarella cheesecubed
114-ounce jargarlic stuffed olives or pitted Castelvetrano olivessliced
1/2cupred onionthinly sliced
1/4cupjulienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes
1-2fresh jalapenosthinly sliced
2cupsarugula
1/4cupbasil leaveschopped
Instructions
DressingIn a food processor, combine chopped shallot, garlic, red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, pepper, salt, red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tablespoon of everything bagel seasoning. Blend on high until smooth and emulsified. Remove from food processor into a small bowl. Stir in remaining 1/2 tablespoon of everything bagel seasoning and set aside.
Toasted Bread CubesCut a sourdough baguette into 1/2" cubes. Drizzle and toss bread cubes in a little olive oil and sprinkle with a little everything bagel seasoning. In a pre-heated skillet, over medium heat, add the seasoned bread cubes. Toast the bread cubes for 3-5 minutes, stirring periodically, until toasted. You want them to be crisp but not quite as bone-dry crunchy as a crouton.Remove from heat and add to a large salad bowl. Let cool.
SaladNext, prepare the remaining salad ingredients. Add to the large bowl containing the toasted bread cubes the salami, soppressata, mozzarella cheese, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, jalapeno, red onion, arugula and basil.Gently toss all ingredients together. When you're ready to serve, drizzle dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Take care not to overdress the salad. You want the bread to absorb some of the flavor from the dressing but not to the point where the bread gets soggy. Serve immediately.
Notes
If you want to make this salad ahead, go ahead and mix the all salad ingredients together reserving the bread cubes and arugula out separate until just before serving. Then, when you're ready to serve, toss the bread, arugula, and salad ingredients together and then add the dressing. This will ensure your greens and bread remain crisp until you're ready to dig in.