30

min
  • salads

Overfitting Olive Panzanella

The Overfitting Olive Panzanella is the perfect summer dish, combining the rustic simplicity of the Tuscan countryside with the precision of Iron Chef cooking. This dish transports you to the sun-soaked terraces of Tuscany, with the crunch of bread soaked in olive oil, the tang of fresh tomatoes, and the earthy taste of cucumbers and olives.

  • SERVES
    6 people
  • PREP TIME
    30 minutes
  • Cook TIME
    0 minutes
Ingredients
  • 6 cups of stale, crusty bread
  • 1 1/2 lbs ripe tomatoes
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 cup of black olives
  • 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves
Directions
  1. Cut the stale bread into 1-inch cubes.
  2. Dice the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the bread, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and olives.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and minced garlic.
  5. Pour the dressing over the salad, tossing until the bread has absorbed the dressing.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

The Panzanella is a traditional Tuscan dish, a simple peasant food made from stale bread and ripe tomatoes. However, the Overfitting Olive Panzanella differs in one key aspect - the use of olives. This addition, while seemingly minor, elevates the dish to a whole new dimension. The olives add a briny punch to the salad, cutting through the richness of the olive oil and contrasting beautifully with the sweet tomatoes.

The idea behind the Overfitting Olive Panzanella was to honor the humble origins of the dish while adding an Iron Chef twist. The addition of olives is a nod to the ingenuity of Italian cooks, who are known for their ability to create delicious dishes with the simplest of ingredients.

The Overfitting Olive Panzanella is not just a dish, but a celebration of the Tuscan cuisine. Every bite is a testament to the magic that happens when fresh, quality ingredients are combined with love and care. So, the next time you find yourself longing for a taste of Italy, try your hand at this Iron Chef-inspired recipe. After all, as the Italians say, 'la vita รจ troppo breve per mangiare e bere male' - life is too short to eat and drink poorly.

salads