Spring Vegetable Panzanella With Poached Eggs

Name: Spring Vegetable Panzanella With Poached Eggs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: For the panzanella:; 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided; 1 baguette or 1 small loaf of ciabatta (225 grams), cut into 1-inch cubes (between 3 and 4 cups); 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste; 1 leek, white and light green parts only, cut crosswise into very thin circles or half-moons, cleaned, and dried; 1 bunch asparagus (340 grams), woody ends snapped off and cut into 1 1/2- to 2-inch pieces; 2 1/2 cups (380 grams) English peas, fresh or frozen and thawed; 2 large handfuls (220 grams) snow peas, ends trimmed; 1 splash (1 to 2 teaspoons) balsamic vinegar; Juice of half a lemon; Pepper, to taste; 1 cup small, uneven cubes Parmesan; Eggs, 1 or 2 per person, for poaching (optional); For the pesto:; 1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves; 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves; 3 to 4 sprigs fresh thyme, stripped; 2 tablespoons walnuts; 1 or 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan; Salt, to taste

Servings: persons

For the panzanella:
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 baguette or 1 small loaf of ciabatta (225 grams), cut into 1-inch cubes (between 3 and 4 cups)
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1 leek, white and light green parts only, cut crosswise into very thin circles or half-moons, cleaned, and dried
1 bunch asparagus (340 grams), woody ends snapped off and cut into 1 1/2- to 2-inch pieces
2 1/2 cups (380 grams) English peas, fresh or frozen and thawed
2 large handfuls (220 grams) snow peas, ends trimmed
1 splash (1 to 2 teaspoons) balsamic vinegar
Juice of half a lemon
Pepper, to taste
1 cup small, uneven cubes Parmesan
Eggs, 1 or 2 per person, for poaching (optional)
For the pesto:
1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
3 to 4 sprigs fresh thyme, stripped
2 tablespoons walnuts
1 or 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
Salt, to taste

1
You'll start by preparing the bread. In a large pan, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the bread and 1 teaspoon salt and stir so that all of the cubes are coated in oil. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bread is golden brown and toasty. Transfer to your serving bowl and wipe out the large pan.
2
As the bread toasts, make the pesto. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the herbs, nuts, garlic, and about half of the olive oil. Process until everything is uniformly chopped and you've got a green paste. With the motor running, stream in the rest of the olive oil until your paste is thinner, smoother, and paler. Add the Parmesan and pulse until it is incorporated. Taste the pesto and adjust the salt as necessary (you might not need to add salt considering the salt content of the Parmesan).
3
If you're worried about the pesto browning, transfer it to an airtight container. Otherwise, proceed with the recipe.
4
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the large pan over medium-low heat. Add the leek and a fat pinch of salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the leek has started to break down and is a creamy mess, 5 to 7 minutes. Be careful not to cook the leek too fast-you want it to disintegrate slowly.
5
Once the leek is cooked, add the asparagus pieces and saute, stirring frequently, until bright green, 3 to 4 minutes. Next, add the peas and stir until similarly vivid, 2 to 3 more minutes. Taste your vegetables to make sure they're still peppy but not raw.
6
Dump the vegetables from the pan onto the toasty bread cubes. Add the snow peas and the pesto. (I added all of the pesto and found it to be the perfect amount, but add half, mix it all up, and see where you are-that's less risky.) Add the balsamic, lemon juice, pepper, and Parmesan and mix well so that all of the bread and all of the vegetables are shiny with pesto.
7
Give your panzanella some time to relax and loosen up as you poach the eggs, 1 or 2 per person. I use Heidi Swanson's technique, described here: http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/poached-eggs-over-rice-recipe.html.
8
Scoop the panzanella into bowls and gingerly position a poached egg (or 2) over each bowl. Eat!

753

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 22 ingredients. The key ingredients include: For the panzanella:, 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, 1 baguette or 1 small loaf of ciabatta (225 grams), cut into 1-inch cubes (between 3 and 4 cups), 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste, and more.

Yes, Spring Vegetable Panzanella With Poached Eggs falls under the General category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!