Panzanella with Pandesal Recipe (2024)

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This Panzanella with Pandesal is a Filipino twist on the Italian Panzanella Salad. Made with toasted Pandesal with creamy pieces of Kesong Puti and Malunggay Pesto. It's summer on a plate.

Panzanella with Pandesal Recipe (1)

First of what is Panzanella?

There is a misconception that it's a tomato salad. Actually it's a bread dish flavored with vegetables. Originally it was made with stale bread, onion and vinegar. Over time this Tuscan dish has evolved to heavily feature tomatoes. Which is what we are going to play with today.

Filipino Style Panzanella Ingredients

From the title of this recipe (Panzanella with Pandesal) one of the key ingredients is Pandesal! You can make it from scratch using this recipe or of course buy it. The best place to buy Pandesal is from a Filipino bakery. Here are a few places I recommend in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Kesong Puti

Another component of Panzanella with Pandesal is Kesong Puti. Kesong Puti is a homemade white cheese, that is super easy to make from scratch. I do have a recipe for it here on my site. It's very similar to ricotta, so if you are not up to making it from scratch it's fine to replace it with ricotta or even burrata.

You can also buy it online from my friends at Marias Bulacan Sweets. They have sourced some water buffalo in New Jersey and they make it from scratch.

Malunggay Pesto

Another easy to make from scratch component is Malunggay Pesto. I like to make mine with cashews. My recipe uses fresh Malunggay leaves that gives it an awesome green color. Of course you can use other store bought pesto, but it won't have malunggay!

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Cocomansi

To replace the vinegar I used some Cocomansi instead. It's made with Coconut Aminos and Calamansi Juice. You can easily buy a bottle in the US. The company is called Saint C and available through several online stores. The calamansi gives it a nice touch of acid.

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Other Ingredients

Of course the core of this Panzanella with Pandesal recipe are tomatoes. Which are great during the summer months. Pick the most vibrant and juicy ones!

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Lettuce is something optional. Not necessary, if this is just going to be a side dish. However highly recommended if it's going to be the main dish on the table.

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How to Make Panzanella with Pandesal

Now that we have all our ingredients, let's make the thing.

First thing you have to do is flavor and toast the Pandesal. You would need about 4 for this recipe. Rip each Pandesal into 4 pieces and place in a bowl. Drizzle some olive oil (about a tablespoon or so) and season with a teaspoon each of salt and pepper.

Toast in the oven at 350F for 10 minutes until nice and golden. Take out of the oven when done and leave too cool on the counter.

While the bread is toasting cut the tomatoes into wedges. Place them in a colander that has been set over a bowl. Sprinkle a tablespoon of salt over the tomatoes and leave to sit for 10 minutes until the juices have seeped out.

Take the bowl with the tomato juice and add in 2 tablespoons of cocomansi and ¼ cup of olive oil. Stir well.

How to Serve Panzanella with Pandesal

To serve the Panzanella with Pandesal place the lettuce on a large plate and layer on top the tomatoes, toasted Pandesal, kesong puti, and malunggay pesto. Drizzle some of the dressing all over and leave the rest on the side. Have with a nice cold crisp glass of wine.

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How to store Panzanella with Pandesal

It's best to have it all the same day. If you do have left overs aim to eat it the next day at the least.

For more Filipino inspired goodness in your life follow along on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest. Or subscribe to get these recipes in your inbox. And if you make this recipe. I would love to see it. Tag your Instagram snaps with @rezelkealoha and #rezelkealohaeats.

Panzanella with Pandesal Recipe

This Panzanella with Pandesal is a Filipino twist on the Italian Panzanella Salad. Made with toasted Pandesal with creamy pieces of Kesong Puti and Malunggay Pesto. It's summer on a plate.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Filipino, Italian

Servings: 4 People

Author: Rezel Kealoha

Ingredients

  • 4 Pandesal
  • 3 Large Tomatoes
  • ½ Cup Kesong Puti
  • 2 Cups Lettuce
  • ¼ Cup Malunggay Pesto
  • 2 Tablespoons Cocomansi
  • 1 Tablespoon Salt
  • ¼ + 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil Divided

Instructions

Toast Pandesal

  • Pre-heat oven to 350F

  • Rip each Pandesal into 4 pieces and place in a bowl. Drizzle some olive oil (about a tablespoon or so) and season with a teaspoon each of salt and pepper.

    Toast for 10 minutes until nice and golden. Take out of the oven when done and leave too cool on the counter.

Season Tomatoes

  • While the bread is toasting cut the tomatoes into wedges. Place them in a colander that has been set over a bowl. Sprinkle a tablespoon of salt over the tomatoes and leave to sit for 10 minutes until the juices have seeped out.es

Make Dressing

  • Take the bowl with the tomato juice and add in 2 tablespoons of cocomansi and ¼ cup of olive oil. Stir well.

Serve The Salad

  • To serve the Panzanella with Pandesal place the lettuce on a large plate and layer on top the tomatoes, toasted Pandesal,kesong puti,andmalunggay pesto. Drizzle some of the dressing all over and leave the rest on the side

Notes

Link to Pandesal Recipe

Link to Kesong Puti Recipe

Link to Malunggay Pesto Recipe

Did you enjoy making it? I would love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @rezelkealoha with the #rezelkealoha!

Panzanella with Pandesal Recipe (9)
Panzanella with Pandesal Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in panzanella? ›

In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, yellow pepper, red onion, basil, and capers. Add the bread cubes and toss with the vinaigrette. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Serve, or allow the salad to sit for about half an hour for the flavors to blend.

What is good to eat with panzanella? ›

It's also a great starter to a fun Italian menu with anything including sundried tomato pasta, eggplant parmesan, chicken pesto, or Fish of your choice. Panzanella can also be the perfect summer salad for your next BBQ with things like chicken kabobs, lamb burgers, or grilled shrimp.

What is a pandesal made of? ›

Pandesal, also known as Pan de sal (Spanish: pan de sal, lit. "salt bread") is a staple bread roll in the Philippines commonly eaten for breakfast. It is made of flour, yeast, sugar, oil, and salt.

What does pandesal taste like? ›

Filipino pandesal, which means salt bread in Spanish, is reminiscent of the American-style dinner roll but it leans more sweet than savory, with a pillowy interior and a golden, sandy exterior dusted with breadcrumbs.

What does the word panzanella mean in English? ›

Meaning of panzanella in English

an Italian salad made with stale (= not fresh) bread in oil and tomatoes, and often other vegetables: Stale bread can be used in panzanella, a Tuscan bread salad.

What country is panzanella from? ›

The story behind “bread salad”

Can you believe panzanella predates tomatoes in Italy? It's true. In fact, the first written record of an early version of panzanella (called “pan lavato,” meaning “washed bread”) came from writer Boccaccio in the fourteenth century.

What is best to eat with bread? ›

Breakfast
  • Creamy Strawberry French Toast Bake. Strawberries, cream and french toast make an unbeatable combination. ...
  • Raisin Bread and Sausage Morning Casserole. ...
  • Avocado Egg-In-A-Hole. ...
  • Gazpacho. ...
  • Grilled Panzanella. ...
  • Pizza. ...
  • Buffalo Chicken Meatballs. ...
  • Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Bake.
Oct 29, 2021

What tastes good with bread? ›

These saucy dishes demand a hunk of good bread to sop up every last drop
  • Mosca's Chicken a la Grande With Sauteed Green Beans, above. ...
  • Anthony Bourdain's Boeuf Bourguignon. ...
  • Simple Butter Chicken. ...
  • Classic Mussels Mariniere. ...
  • Reverse-Seared Pork Chops With Apple Cider Pan Sauce. ...
  • Smoky White Beans and Brussels Sprouts.
Feb 6, 2021

What are the best tomatoes for salads? ›

Baby Tomatoes: Cherry, Grape, and co*cktail

Easily halved, cherry tomatoes are ideal for all sorts of salads, especially pasta salads. They aren't only enjoyed raw, however. Because they're so juicy, cherry tomatoes make a delicious a sauce, like in our Shrimp and Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta.

Is eating pandesal healthy? ›

HEALTH BENEFITS OF PAN DE SAL: Pan de sal has 4 grams of protein, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, and 3 grams of fat. Pandesal also has iron, which is necessary for developing hemoglobin, for carrying oxygen in the blood. This is helpful for people with anemia and pregnant women.

Why is pandesal so good? ›

Pandesal is the most popular bread in the Philippines for a good reason! With a golden, crumb-coated exterior, slightly sweet taste, and soft, fluffy texture, this Filipino-style bread roll is delicious on its own or with your choice of filling. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack!

Why is my pandesal so hard? ›

Why is the crust on my pandesal so hard? Your bread should be fluffy on the inside and slightly crusty on the outside, but the crust should not be rock hard. If your crust is too hard, it could be the result of under kneading your bread. Make sure your dough is completely smooth after kneading.

What is the best partner for pandesal? ›

I love to pair hot pandesal with butter. No need to wait to cool. Pandesal are best while they're hot, either spread with star margarine, dairy cream butter, peanut butter, cheese, coco jam, mayo, Nutella or even condensed milk.. then dunk it in coffee...... oh my, sooooo good..

How do Filipinos eat pandesal? ›

A freshly baked pandesal is great on its own, but Filipinos most commonly eat it dipped in coffee or hot chocolate, filled with breakfast staples like Spam and eggs, or topped with rich spreads like peanut butter, coconut jam, or kesong puti (fresh farmer's cheese).

What is a fun fact about pandesal? ›

Pandesal is the most popular style of bread in the Philippines. The name comes from the Spanish word meaning “salt bread" and it originated during the 16th century era of Spanish colonization in the Philippines. Pandesal is known for its pillowy texture and signature breadcrumbs on top.

What is semolina bread made of? ›

Also called durum flour, semolina is a fine-textured flour made from durum wheat (used to make dried pasta). It has a nutty undertone and gives the bread a welcomed golden hue.

What is fairy bread made of? ›

Fairy bread, which can be traced back to Australia and New Zealand, is simply sliced white bread spread with butter and covered with multi-colored round "hundreds and thousands," the Australian term for sprinkles. It is then typically cut into triangles.

What is Greek bread made from? ›

Greek bread typically consists of ingredients such as flour, water, salt, yeast and olive oil. It can be prepared in a variety of ways including making it into flatbreads, or baking it in the oven to create loaves. Greek bread is often used for dipping sauces and spreads like tzatziki.

What is a Tuscan panzanella salad Wiki? ›

Panzanella (Italian: [pantsaˈnɛlla]) or panmolle ( Italian: [pamˈmɔlle]) is a Tuscan and Umbrian chopped salad of soaked stale bread, onions and tomatoes that is popular in the summer.

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