Zesty Italian Bread Salad with Smoked Ham and Mozzarella

Italian Bread Salad

Cook Time: 15 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Description: Discover a delightful and refreshing Italian Bread Salad that combines savory smoked ham, fresh romaine lettuce, and tangy red wine vinegar. This recipe from my Southern Living Cookbook has quickly become a favorite, and I hope it brings as much joy to your table as it has to mine. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal, this salad is bursting with flavor and is sure to impress!

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Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/8 – 1/4 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup plum tomatoes, diced
• 4-5 ounces smoked ham, chopped
• 2 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced
• 3 green onions, sliced

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Bread Cubes: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cubes are lightly browned and crispy. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

2. Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes until well combined.

3. Assemble the Salad: Reserve 1 cup of the toasted bread cubes for garnish. Scatter the remaining bread cubes evenly on a large serving platter. Top the bread cubes with the torn romaine lettuce, diced plum tomatoes, chopped smoked ham, diced mozzarella cheese, and sliced green onions.

4. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together to ensure the bread cubes and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.

5. Rest and Serve: Allow the salad to sit for about 15 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the bread to absorb the dressing, creating a more flavorful dish.

6. Garnish and Enjoy: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved bread cubes and additional green onions over the top of the salad for added texture and freshness.

Enjoy this Italian Bread Salad as a vibrant side dish or a light and satisfying main course. Its combination of textures and flavors makes it a standout addition to any meal. Bon appétit! 🌿🍅🧀