Italian Recipes
Crispy Celery and Roasted Pepper Salad with Garlic Toasted Bread
Celery and Pepper Salad with Toasted Bread
Category: Salads
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Red bell peppers | 2 |
| Celery stalks | 2 |
| Iceberg lettuce | ½ head |
| Green olives | 12 |
| Garlic clove | 1 |
| Extra virgin olive oil | to taste |
| Homemade bread (for toasting) | 8 slices |
| White wine vinegar | 4 tablespoons |
| Mustard | 2 teaspoons |
| Honey | 1 teaspoon |
| Water | to taste |
| Fine salt | to taste |
| Black pepper | to taste |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Vegetables:
- Separate the celery stalks from the leaves and carefully remove any fibrous parts using a vegetable peeler. Cut the stalks into thin strips along the length of the celery.
- Submerge the celery strips in a bowl of iced water to keep them crisp.
- Wash and dry the iceberg lettuce, then slice it into thin strips and place it in a large mixing bowl.
-
-
Roast the Bell Peppers:
- Roast the two red bell peppers in the oven until tender and the skin starts to char. Once roasted, remove the skin, seeds, and stems, then slice the peppers into thin strips.
- Add these strips to the same mixing bowl where the celery and lettuce are already prepared.
-
Prepare the Dressing:
- After resting the bell pepper strips for about 30 minutes, you’ll notice they will release excess water. Use a fine sieve to collect this liquid into a bowl.
- Pour the collected pepper water into a blender, then add an equal amount of extra virgin olive oil and white wine vinegar. If the dressing becomes too thick, adjust the consistency with a splash of lukewarm water.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, then blend until smooth.
-
Toast the Bread:
- Brush the 8 slices of homemade bread lightly with olive oil and toast them in the oven until golden and crisp.
- Once the bread is toasted, rub one side of each slice with the garlic clove to infuse flavor.
-
Assemble the Salad:
- In the salad bowl with celery, lettuce, and roasted pepper strips, pour a portion of the prepared dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Scatter the green olives and finely chopped celery leaves over the salad for added flavor and texture.
-
Serve:
- Plate the salad, topping it with the sliced roasted peppers, olives, and the celery leaf garnish.
- Serve the salad alongside the toasted garlic bread slices as a perfect accompaniment.
This refreshing and crunchy Celery and Pepper Salad with toasted garlic bread makes an ideal light meal or a vibrant side dish for any gathering. The crispy celery and lettuce are complemented by the smoky sweetness of the roasted peppers, and the homemade dressing adds a tangy balance to the dish. The toasted bread adds an extra layer of texture and flavor, making this salad even more irresistible! Enjoy!
