Valentine’s Day Panzanella (Tuscan Bread Salad)

A Fresh, Savory Love Story 🍅🥖

Valentine’s Day doesn’t always have to be chocolate and cake. Sometimes love looks like a bowl of ripe tomatoes, golden toasted bread, and a drizzle of good olive oil.

This Tuscan Panzanella is rustic, vibrant, and beautifully simple. It transforms

day-old bread into something completely crave-worthy — proof that humble ingredients can create something unforgettable.

Ingredients:

Salad 🥗

Rustic crusty bread (Ciabatta or Sourdough)

2.5 lbs ripe tomatoes

Salt + black pepper

Dressing

2–3 tbsp red wine vinegar

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Fresh cracked black pepper

Optional

Sliced red onion or shallots

Fresh basil

Cucumber

Fresh mozzarella pearls

Garbanzo beans

How to Make Valentine’s Panzanella

1. Prepare the Bread

Cut bread into 1-inch cubes.

If not stale, toss with olive oil and bake at 400°F for 10–15 minutes until golden and crisp on the edges.

2. Salt the Tomatoes

Chop tomatoes and place in a colander over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let sit 15–30 minutes.

Do NOT discard the tomato juice — this becomes your dressing base.

3. Make the Vinaigrette

Whisk tomato juice with red wine vinegar, olive oil, and black pepper.

4. Assemble

Toss bread, tomatoes, and dressing together.

Add basil, red onion and any other optional add-ins, if using.

Let sit 20–30 minutes before serving so the bread absorbs the juices without turning mushy.

🍅Tips for Success

Use crusty bread only — avoid sandwich bread

Eat the same day for best texture

Add mozzarella or cucumber for extra heartiness

Whether you’re setting the table for someone special or simply celebrating yourself, this Valentine’s Panzanella is a reminder that love doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.

Fresh ingredients, a little patience, and a whole lot of flavor — that’s the kind of romance I believe in.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see it!

Tag me @veggiefoodievibes and share your beautiful bowl of savory love. ❤️🍅🥖

This dish is proof that simple food, like simple love, is often the most satisfying.

Made with simple ingredients and a whole lot of heart.

With love,

Tamarah ❤️

@veggiefoodievibes

Enjoy!

A votre sante 🌱

Follow @veggiefoodievibes for fun simple easy delicious healthy vegetarian food/recipes