Bread salads makes good use of day-old French, Italian or focaccia bread. Rustic salads like this one are made all over central Italy. Be sure to use the freshest of vegetables and the best extra virgin olive oil you can find.

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place diced bread on a baking tray. Toast bread in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Allow toasted bread to cool.

 

Place toasted bread in a salad bowl. Add in cheese, lettuce, garlic, tomato, onion, cucumber, basil, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss ingredients several times to coat evenly.

 

Serve on a chilled platter or on individual plates.