Summer Garden Bread Salad

This quick and delicious salad goes a step further than panzanella and also uses beautiful lime-green cubanelle peppers, cucumbers and a bit of red onion plus lots of fresh basil. Add some crusty bread crumbs and olive oil and you have a wonderful summer salad! It's definitely a regular event in my house. Prep time includes letting veggies "juice it up" together.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4  large  ripe plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch dice
• 1  small cucumber, seeded but not peeled, cut into 1/2 inch dice
• 1  large cubanelle pepper, cut into 1/2 inch dice
• 3 -4  tablespoons  minced red onions (amount according to your preference)
• 5  basil leaves, shredded
• 4  cups  crusty bread, cubes (I like to toast them first, but it's not absolutely necessary)
• 2 -3  tablespoons olive oil
•  salt and black pepper (we like lots of pepper in this!)

Directions

1. Combine the tomatoes, cucumber, cubanelle peppers, onion and basil.
2. Season to taste with salt and pepper and let stand 30 minutes for flavors to develop.
3. Stir in the bread cubes and drizzle olive oil over the salad; toss to mix thoroughly.
4. Enjoy!