Panzanella Bread Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup Olive oil
• ¼ cup Olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons Balsalmic vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
• 6 cups day old Italian bread, cubed into bite-size pieces
• 5 medium red tomatoes, quartered
• 1 cucumber, peeled, and sliced
• 1 red pepper, diced roughly
• 1/2 cup pitted and sliced green or kalamata olives
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl toss bread with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic.
3. Lay out on a baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes, until golden. Allow to cool slightly.
4. While bread is in the oven, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
5. Gently toss together the vinaigrette, bread, and vegetables. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving.