Capsicum, Tomato, and Crunchy Bread Salad: A Refreshing Low-Protein Delight
Overview:
Indulge your taste buds in a delightful symphony of flavors with this Capsicum, Tomato, and Crunchy Bread Salad. A perfect fusion of freshness and crunch, this low-protein salad is not only a culinary delight but also a healthy addition to your weeknight menu, requiring less than 4 hours to prepare and cook.
Ingredients:
Gather the following fresh and vibrant ingredients to embark on a culinary journey:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Garlic | Cloves from bulbs (unpeeled) |
| Egg Tomatoes | 1 |
| Olive Oil (for baking and extra) | 9 tablespoons |
| Red Capsicums | 1/4 |
| Yellow Capsicum | 2 |
| Fresh Basil Leaf | 2 |
| Red Wine Vinegar | 1 |
| Brown Sugar | 1 |
| Olive Oil (for dressing) | 2 |
| Italian-style Bread (Pagnotta recommended) | 1/3 |
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 283.9
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 3.6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 11.1mg
- Carbohydrates: 12.4g
- Fiber: 3.2g
- Sugar: 7.4g
- Protein: 2.3g
Preparation Time Breakdown:
| Task | Time |
|---|---|
| Garlic, Tomato, and Oil Baking | 30 minutes |
| Toasting Bread Squares | 10 minutes |
| Capsicum Grilling and Peeling | Variable |
| Salad Preparation | 15 minutes |
| Dressing Preparation | 15 minutes |
| Total | 1 hour 10 minutes |
Instructions:
-
Dressing Preparation:
- Separate garlic bulbs into cloves, leaving them unpeeled.
- In a baking dish, combine garlic, egg tomatoes, and olive oil.
- Bake uncovered in a moderately hot oven for about 30 minutes, ensuring tomatoes are soft. Gently turn tomatoes occasionally and let them cool.
- Reserve garlic for the dressing.
-
Crunchy Bread Squares:
- Cut the Italian-style bread (Pagnotta recommended) into 2 cm squares.
- In a bowl, combine bread squares with extra olive oil, ensuring an even coating.
- Place the bread in a single layer on an oven tray and toast in a moderate oven for about 10 minutes.
-
Capsicum Grilling and Peeling:
- Quarter the red capsicums, removing seeds and membranes.
- Grill capsicums, skin side up, until the skin blisters and blackens.
- Peel away the skin and slice capsicums into thick strips.
-
Salad Assembly:
- In a large bowl, toss together tomatoes, grilled capsicums, and fresh basil leaves gently.
-
Crunchy Bread Addition:
- Just before serving, add the toasted crunchy bread squares to the salad.
-
Dressing Completion:
- Squeeze the pulp from the reserved garlic cloves.
- Blend the garlic pulp with red wine vinegar and brown sugar until smooth.
- Gradually add olive oil in a thin stream while the blender is running.
- Blend until the dressing achieves a thick consistency.
Final Touch:
As you drizzle the luscious garlic-infused dressing over the vibrant salad, savor the harmonious blend of textures and flavors. This salad is not just a culinary creation; it’s a celebration of freshness and simplicity. Share this Low-Protein masterpiece with friends for a weeknight gathering, and let the joyous reviews pour in. Enjoy the delightful crunch, the burst of colors, and the health-conscious satisfaction that this recipe brings to your table.
