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Southern panzanella salad
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Southern Panzanella Salad

Get a taste of Columbia's DiPrato's Delicatessen with this version of their Southern Panzanella Salad, a twist on the traditional Italian bread salad.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: black eyed peas, cornbread, salad
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

Cornbread

  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 ½ tbsp white vinegar
  • 2 eggs
  • cooking spray if not using cast iron

Balsamic Vinaigrette

  • ⅛ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ⅛ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ¼ tsp dried thyme
  • 1 small clove garlic minced
  • salt and pepper to taste

Salad

  • ½ cucumber diced
  • ½ green bell pepper diced
  • 20 cherry tomatoes halved
  • ¼ red onion slivered
  • 8 oz frozen fried okra
  • 4 oz cheddar cubed
  • 1 14 oz can black eyed peas

Instructions

Make the Cornbread

  • Preheat the oven to 400 F. Put a cast iron skillet (9" or 10" in diameter) on a stove eye and turn to medium heat.
  • Add the white vinegar to the milk and set aside.
  • Mix all other cornbread ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the vinegared milk and combine just until incorporated.
  • Remove the cast iron from the stove and turn off the heat from the eye. Pour the batter into the cast iron skillet and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. If you don't have cast iron, use an 8" x 8" glass baking dish and spray liberally with cooking spray before pouring in the cornbread batter. If using glass, bake for 25 minutes. Use an inserted knife to check for doneness.
  • Let cornbread cool to the touch. Cut off a few pieces and cut further into crouton sized pieces.

Make the Vinaigrette

  • Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake til emulsified. Set aside.

Assemble the Salad

  • Cook the fried okra following package directions, or use an air fryer set to 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Set aside.
  • Divide the vegetables, black eyed peas, and cheese between two large salad bowls.
  • Pour half of the dressing over vegetables in each bowl.
  • Top with fried okra and cornbread. Salt to taste and serve immediately.