Cornbread Panzanella with Burratta & Grilled nectarines
Here is your new favorite salad, I guarantee it. A riff on a traditional panzanella, this uses day-old cornbread rather than a crusty wheat bread. A super tangy, vibrant dressing balances out the sweetness from the nectarines and cornbread. You could skip the burratta and make this a dairy-free dish, but it really adds such a lovely creaminess.
This makes an excellent side dish for a summer cookout, or pair with any protein and make it a complete meal. Bon appetit!
Ingredients for the Salad:
Approximately 4-5 cups of cornbread, cut into cubes
2 nectarines
1 pint cherry tomatoes, rinsed
1 English cucumber, sliced into half moons
1/4 cup red onion slices
8 ounces burratta cheese
1 bunch of basil
For the Dressing:
2 Lemons
1/2 cup olive oil
1 clove of garlic, finely minced
2 teaspoons honey
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Prepare the cornbread croutons - preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Put cubed cornbread onto a baking sheet and spray with olive oil spray. Toast in oven until golden brown and crusty on the outside, approximately 15 minutes. Alternatively, you could toast the cubes in a pan on the stove or toast in an Air Fryer.
Prepare the dressing - Add the zest of 1 lemon, the juice of 2 lemons, and the remaining ingredients into a jar. Shake until well mixed. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Cut nectarines into large wedges. Grill on an indoor grill pan until slightly caramelized.
On a platter or a large serving bowl, combine cornbread croutons, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and nectarines. Pour dressing over. Garnish with basil.
Tear burratta over the top, if using.
Recipe Notes:
Soaking the red onions in cold water for about 30 minutes takes some of the intensity out. Pat slices dry before adding to the salad.
If you plan to make this in advance, you can dress all of the ingredients except for the cornbread. This salad does well in advance, but the cornbread can get a bit mushy if it is in the dressing too long. I recommend adding the cornbread closer to service.
Grilling the nectarines is entirely optional. If you do decide to grill them, this works best with firmer, slightly underripe fruit.