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breakfast-panzanola

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

Italians have panzanella (bread salad). Americans have granola. Combine elements of both and you have a fun way to serve the flavors everyone likes for breakfast. On a warm summer morning, I serve this for brunch with cured meats and cheeses.

Yield : Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup sliced almonds

For the brown butter syrup:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon brandy
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • Finely ground sea salt, preferably gray salt

  • 1 country style Italian bread, 1 pound

  • 2 pints strawberries, stemmed and sliced lengthwise ¼ inch thick
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • Finely ground sea salt, preferably gray salt
  • ¾ cup golden raisins
  • ½ cup blueberries
  • ½ cup lightly packed torn fresh mint leaves
  • 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour into a small bowl. Leave the oven on.

While the almonds are in the oven, make the brown butter syrup: In a 10-inch skillet, melt the butter over high heat and cook, without stirring, until it browns, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bay leaf and stand back (it might pop). Reduce the heat to medium, add the sugar, and stir. When the sugar has melted, add the brandy and stand back (it might flame). Add the lemon juice. Cook for 15 seconds, then add the orange juice and ¼ teaspoon salt.

Stir and cook until the liquid has reduced by half and has a syrupy consistency, about 3 minutes. You should have about ½ cup. Remove and discard the bay leaf.

Using a serrated knife, shave off the thicker parts of the crust from the bread loaf. Cut the bread into ½-inch cubes. You should have about 8 cups. Place the bread in a large bowl, add ¼ cup of the brown butter syrup, and toss to coat evenly.

Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake the bread cubes, turning occasionally for even coloring, until golden and crispy on the outside and still chewy inside, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

While the bread cubes are cooling, in a bowl, combine the strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, and ½ teaspoon salt and mix well. Allow to macerate for 5 to 10 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine the raisins with hot water to cover. Allow the raisins to plump for 8 to 10 minutes, then drain well.

Place the toasted bread in a large bowl. Add the remaining ¼ cup brown butter syrup, the toasted almonds, raisins, blueberries, and mint and toss well.

To serve, spoon some strawberries in each bowl. Spoon some of the bread mixture alongside the berries, and spoon some whipped cream over the strawberries.

Notes

Cooking Notes: Once you have mastered the technique, try substituting other breads, such as raisin or walnut. The fruit you use should change with the season, and you can substitute plain yogurt for the whipped cream.

Entertaining Notes: You can hold this dish at room temperature for as long as an hour before serving. If any is left over, use it as a stuffing for Cornish game hens or small chickens.

Wine Notes: A fruity sparkling wine is delicious with this morning dish.


© 2005 NapaStyle, Inc.
 

Nutritional Information

Nutrients per serving

Nutritional information includes a 1/2 teaspoon of added salt. This recipe serves 8.

535 kcal
12 % daily value
107 % daily value
5 % daily value
493 mg
66 mg
11 g
43 g
5 g
83 g
48 mg
509 mg
9 g
20 g
22 % daily value

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