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    Home » Blog » Recipes » Salad

    Published: Jun 22, 2022 · Modified: May 9, 2024 by Rezel Kealoha · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Panzanella with Pandesal Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print 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.

    Panzanella with Pandesal

    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.

    • Seafood City
    • Island Pacific
    • Goldilocks - They are available in person, online or even better same day delivery.
    • Valerios Tropical Bakeshop - They don't have a website so just please Google for locations.
    • Sweet Cravings
    • Sarap Now - This is an online shop that ships all over the US.

    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.

    Close up of Kesong Puti with a knife swipping it.

    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!

    Malunggay Pesto

    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.

    Cocomansi Bottle

    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!

    3 Tomatoes on a green background for Panzanella with Pandesal

    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.

    Lettuce in a white Colander for Panzanella with Pandesal

    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.

    Panzanella with Pandesal

    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

    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.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    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, and malunggay 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

    More Salad

    • Lumpiang Hubad (Lumpia Salad Bowl)
    • Mushroom Sisig
    • Pancit Salad Bowl
    • Kare Kare Salad

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    Hi! I'm Rezel and I am here to guide you on how to use those Filipino ingredients you have in a fresh new way. As a fellow home cook, the focus is easy to make recipes with lots of Filipino flavor. You will find a mix of reimagined Filipino Recipes along side traditional recipes on our site.

    More about me →

    My Current Favorites

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