"Why throw away the rest of that good, dense loaf you picked up at the bakery the other day? This is what the Italians do with day-old (or older) bread. Simply delicious!!!"

Ingredient :

• 2tomatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1small cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 1small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1clove garlic, very finely minced
• 1cup fresh basil leaf, torn into small pieces
• ¹⁄₂cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
• 3tablespoons balsamic vinegar or 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, plus more as needed
• salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 6 -8slices thick country bread, torn into bite-size pieces (sourdough is good - dense, bakery bread)

Directions :

• In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, garlic and basil.
• Drizzle with the 1/2 cup olive oil and the 3 tblsps vinegar, season with salt and pepper and toss well.
• Place half of the bread in a wide, shallow bowl.
• Spoon half of the tomato mixture over the bread.
• Layer the remaining bread on top and then the remaining tomato mixture.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Just before serving, toss the salad and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
• If the bread seems dry, add a little oil or vinegar.
• Serve immediately.