panzanella*

Harmons. I was first introduced to Harmons awhile back in St. George. Landon and I decided to drop in and find something to take back to the house for dinner. My life has since changed forever. That store is incredible! First, you walk in and everyone is so nice and helpful. Then, you look over and there is a whole section of deli meats and cold salads and a bakery and a full salad bar and desserts and just pure amazing selection of all sorts of amazing things. Then, you turn around and there is a beautiful arrangement of big freezer aisles, that look so ordinary, but alas they are NOT ordinary! Like, seriously, I could LIVE in the ice cream section. If you have never been to a Harmons, or if you have never ventured to their ice cream section, you are seriously missing out. Sometimes I just find any reason I can think of to just drop in just to stroll through the ice cream aisle. Any flavor that you can think of (even frozen doggie treats) are in this godsend of an aisle. However, I have never bought any of the amazing selections of ice cream. Why? you ask. Usually when I go I am going for work, so therefore I don't want to store the ice cream in the work freezer because then I am 99% sure I will forget to take the amazing creamy delight home. I dream of a Harmons closer to my house. That would make my life. I am getting giddy just thinking of the possibility! As unlikely as this life changing possibility would be :(.

OH - I almost forgot!!! This past Sunday one of the girls homes offered to clean the cafeteria SPOTLESS and then brought us a big THANK YOU card with tons of nice thank you's on it,

2 balloons, and some freshly baked chocolate cupcakes with soft delicious chocolate frosting and the words "thank you" written on the cupcakes!!

It was the cutest! And the girls did such a great job cleaning the cafeteria until it shined! THANKS GIRLS!!!!

This panzanella is such a fresh salad and so perfect for these hot summer days. I even liked to eat the tomatoes in this salad! Which is big for me, because I am not a huge fan of tomatoes. But I think the reason why I love this salad is because of the fresh basil and the crunchy bread. I, of course, love a good crusty bread, but my all time favorite herb is basil! FRESH basil. Mmmm...so amazing. If I had to choose one herb and one spice to have to make due with for the rest of my life it would be basil and cinnamon. I would be fine with just the two. I wonder if there is a recipe that combines the two?? Hey - it might taste ok :)

Panzanella
from Gina's Skinny Taste

8-10 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 cup seedless cucumber, diced
1/2 red onion, chopped
8-10 basil leaves, chopped
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
extra virgin olive oil spray (I used my Misto)
6 oz French bread or a good crusty Italian bread, sliced
kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Lightly spray bread with olive oil and season with a little salt; grill over medium heat, until toasted and nicely browned. Remove from heat and cut into 1 inch cubes. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, basil, olive oil, and season liberally with salt and pepper. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to let the flavors combine.

Add the bread cubes and toss. Serve in individual bowls.

We served this yummy salad with a grilled chicken bruschetta sandwich! YUMMY!

-alyssa*