Looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, perfect for summer? Skip turning on the oven and try this grilled panzanella salad recipe for Sleepy Hollow Chef Heidi Valenzuela.
Grilled Panzanella Salad
Serves 4
- 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 large heirloom tomato cut into bite size pieces
- 1 seeded cucumber cut into small pieces
- 1 cup lightly packed basil leaves, torn
- 1/2 cup red onion minced
- 1/2 cup good quality olives
- 1 cup of mozzarella balls (drained)
- 1/2 loaf sliced bread (Italian, sourdough, ciabatta)
- Olive oil
- 1 clove of garlic
- Salt & pepper
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup good quality olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Prepare ingredients for salad by mixing in large bowl
- Grilled bread: mix olive oil, salt and pepper in bowl. Brush both sides of bread with oil mixture, rub clove of garlic on bread, grill 2-3 per side.
- Let cool, chop into bite size pieces
- In medium bowl whisk all ingredients, adjust taste with salt and pepper.
- Add bread to salad and drizzle salad dressing and toss…perfect light summer dish. Be creative and add whatever else you like, artichoke hearts, grilled shrimp, fresh colored peppers..etc
About Heidi
While working at a Fortune 500 company, Heidi decided to follow her passion and begin her career as a natural food private chef, caterer, menu consultant and instructor. She graduated from The Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts in 1998 and began cooking in New York City. Over the past 15 years she has worked for people in all walks of life as well as internationally in South Africa and Argentina. No stranger to the public eye, she has been written up in the New York Times, Timeout Magazine, the Portland Press Herald and Fashion Wire Daily. She was also featured in the nationally syndicated show “Delicious TV”.
In 2006 she added baking and pastry to her repertoire earning her degree from the Institute of Culinary Education. She is an avid runner, yogi and is also active in dog rescue and fostering.
Heidi incorporates her healthier food choices to practical applications. Her food is a diverse realm of textures flavors all of which are delicious and well balanced. She brings her passion and knowledge of wellness to her cooking through dedication to health and wellness. You are truly what you eat and what you eat is directly how you feel.
