Grilled Bread & Tomato Salad

A salad made of bread?  I think my heart just stopped.  Is it possible to get this excited about salad?  Answer.  Yes, yes it is.  Even those non-salad people would be hard pressed not to like this one.  Seriously, a salad that is comprised of 50% bread, you know by now that this makes me happy.  Very, very happy.  Tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh herbs, round out this light and refreshing side dish.  Oh and the bread, the charred, grilled bread.  (drool)  Couple this with the fact that it was eaten Saturday night along side steak, asparagus and some great company.    Winner, winner.  Bread salad for dinner. 

If summer 2012 needed a salad mascot this would be it.  However, this is also going to be my spring/fall/winter go-to-salad from here out.   After all, I'm a bread girl carb junkie at heart!

Grilled Bread & Tomato Salad

Ingredients:
4 large tomatoes, cut into cubes
1/2 loaf of ciabatta bread, sliced into 2 inch thick strips
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp Olive oil, plus more for brushing
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh basil loosely packed & chopped
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved
sea salt & pepper


Method:
Heat BBQ to high.  Brush each side ciabatta slices with olive oil.  Grill oil side down for 1-2 minutes until crispy and charred with grill marks.  Flip and repeat.  Remove and cut into large sized chunks.
In small bowl combine olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic and salt & pepper.  Whisk well.
In large bowl combine tomatoes, onion, and olive oil mixture.  Add in basil and bread.  Toss to coat.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Serves 4.