Italian Summer Salad
Fresh, colorful, and bursting with summer flavor, this Italian Summer Salad is the kind of side dish you'll want to make all season long. Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and fresh basil come together with golden homemade croutons and a simple homemade vinaigrette for a salad that's anything but boring. It's the perfect addition to a backyard cookout, family dinner, or summer get-together—and it's even better after sitting for a few minutes and letting all those fresh flavors soak into the croutons. Simple, bright, and delicious, this is one summer salad you'll find yourself making again and again!
Croutons
- 3+ tbsp olive oil
- 1 loaf French bread, cubed (or you can use sourdough, Italian, or anything that looks good)
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
Veggie Salad
- 1 cucumber, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut to the size of tomatoes
- 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded and cut to the size of tomatoes
Homemade Vinaigrette Dressing
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar (both taste good)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (you can also use a jar of minced garlic- it’s easier and lasts longer)
- 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 15-20 basil leaves, julienne large
- 1/4 cup capers, drained (optional)
Method
- Homemade Croutons: Heat olive oil in a large saute pan. Add bread and cook on low heat for 10 minutes or until browned. Toss croutons during cooking for even browning, add more oil as needed. Season with kosher salt.
- Veggie Salad: Combine cucumber, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, basil, and capers in a large bowl.
- Homemade Vinaigrette Dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients and mix well.
- Add the croutons to the veggie salad, and toss with vinaigrette. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let stand for 30 minutes before serving. We hope you enjoy this tasty treat as much as we do!
