Ina Garten is acquiring somewhat of a reputation for panzanella recipes.  Rest assured, a good one.  I mean, she’s got the original Panzanella from Parties!, a grilled version that I watched her make recently that looks like it’s right up my alley, and this Greek version.  Oh this Greek version.  The one I’m still dreaming about.

Admittedly, I’ve become obsessed with feta cheese in the past few months and I’ve been enjoying it in everything from salads, to roasted veggies, to pizza toppings.  So Ina’s Greek version of panzanella seemed natural exciting mouthwatering to me while I was working out the second Barefoot Bloggers recipe for this month.  And as usual, Ina didn’t let me down.  The panzanella base is the same as the original version but the addition of feta and a delightfully tangy vinaigrette are what really make this dish.  And the toasted bread.  Good lord, don’t forget about the toasted bread!  It took all my strength to hold myself to just one serving of this but the good thing is, it’s so easy to make that it will be reappearing on my menu soon enough.

And now for the surprise announcement!

Ina Garten’s cookbook publicist contacted me earlier this month to tell me that Ina would like for me to do a Q&A session with her in preparation of the release of her new cookbook Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That? which is set to be released on October 26th. How COOL is that?!? My cooking idol!  The date is set for August 18th (which is an awesome early birthday gift for me since my bday is the 19th!) but I don’t have any more details right now other than the date. I of course, will share them once they are finalized.

In the time leading up to this special event, I want to hear from you.  I want to know what you’d ask Ina if you had the chance.  But hold your questions for now.  I’ll be posting weekly starting next week with new recipes from How Easy is That? (since I’ve got an advanced copy in my hot little hands) to share with you and will ask you for your questions in those posts.

So, to make sure you don’t miss these upcoming posts, you may want to connect with me via the new buttons I’ve added in the sidebar: Twitter, Smells Like Home’s Facebook page, and RSS feedJust sayin’

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Greek Panzanella
source: adapted from Ina Garten
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small French bread or boule, cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups)
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 1 red bell pepper, large diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, large diced
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced in half rounds
  • 1/2 pound feta cheese, cut in 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted

For the Vinaigrette:

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup good red wine vinegar (I used 2 tbsp each of champagne and pomegranate vinegars)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan. Add the bread cubes and sprinkle with salt; cook over low to medium heat, tossing frequently, for 5 to 10 minutes, until nicely browned. Add more olive oil as needed.
  2. Place the cucumber, red pepper, yellow pepper, tomatoes and red onion in a large bowl.
  3. For the vinaigrette, whisk together the garlic, oregano, mustard, vinegar(s), 1 teaspoon salt and the pepper in a small bowl. While still whisking, add the olive oil and make an emulsion. Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables. Add the feta, olives and bread cubes and mix together lightly. Set aside for 30 minutes for the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.

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Leave a Comment

  • Kristen
    July 28, 2010 at 12:04 PM

    CONGRATS Tara!!!!!!!!!!! How exciting and what an opportunity! I bet we’ll see you on her show soon!

  • July 28, 2010 at 12:05 PM

    What an honor, Tara!

  • Liz @ Blog is the New Black
    July 28, 2010 at 12:30 PM

    Ina is my idol! I am totally jealous. Congrats to you.

  • Kate
    July 28, 2010 at 1:18 PM

    I too, am totally jealous! What an amazing experience!!

  • Jen
    July 28, 2010 at 2:42 PM

    Congrats to you! You must be very excited about this. I am looking forward to the new recipes and hearing about your interview. Ina is one of my favorite chefs.

  • July 28, 2010 at 3:58 PM

    I am giddy for you and can’t wait to hear about the new recipes and how the interview goes!!

  • Becky
    July 28, 2010 at 9:44 PM

    Congratulations on this well deserved honor/birthday gift! Can’t wait to hear all the details! Enjoy!

  • July 28, 2010 at 11:50 PM

    Congratulations! What a wonderful opportunity! I’m looking forward to her new recipes.

  • July 29, 2010 at 11:10 AM

    That’s awesome! I can’t wait to hear all about it.

    One thing I’ve always wanted to know is how do you stay creative in the kitchen? Do you rework recipes or try new cuisines to get the creative juices flowing? I can’t imagine after writing so many cookbooks and recipes how she (and other great chefs) can keep on creating. My kids suck out my creative energy so maybe that’s my problem??!!! LOL!

    Again, Congratulations!

  • July 29, 2010 at 12:08 PM

    Congrats on the opportunity; I love Ina!! This panzanella looks wonderful too. 🙂

  • July 29, 2010 at 7:28 PM

    WOOT WOOT!!!! So exciting Tara!!! 🙂

  • Kristin
    July 30, 2010 at 1:46 PM

    That’s really exciting! I’m so happy for you! That’s quite an honor!! 🙂

  • Happier Than A Pig in Mud
    July 30, 2010 at 6:00 PM

    Now that really is exciting news! Enjoy, I’m sure you’ll have fun!

  • July 30, 2010 at 11:13 PM

    How great is that! You totally deserve it though for all the work you put into this. Your panzanella looks great – unfortunately I got too busy to make that one.

  • July 31, 2010 at 11:22 PM

    Fantastic photo!

    And great pick for BB this month. LOVED this salad!

    I look forward to hearing more info on the Q & A – sounds like an exciting opportunity!

  • August 1, 2010 at 11:21 AM

    Congratulations! That is so exciting. I met Ina and she was every bit as lovely as she seems on TV. I can’t wait to see some of the new recipes.

  • August 1, 2010 at 4:46 PM

    I love your Greek Panzanella recipe and the picture looks gr8!

  • August 2, 2010 at 5:33 PM

    very cool! can’t wait to see the new recipes! i loveee Ina too!!