Cuban Bread Salad

Cuban-French Fusion Bread Salad Recipe - Enjoy the Flavors of Cuba and France with Arugula, Manchego Cheese, and Citrus Dressing

Region / culture: Cuba, France | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

Cuban Bread Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines the tangy flavors of tomatillos with the crunch of French bread and the creaminess of Manchego cheese. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for a summer barbecue.

History

Cuban Bread Salad is a modern twist on traditional Cuban cuisine. The combination of tomatillos, bread, and cheese is a unique and delicious take on a classic Cuban salad.

Ingredients

0.5 cup orange juice
3 tbsp minced shallots
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp lemon juice
0.5 tsp ground cumin
0.5 cup salad oil
1 tbsp minced fresh jalapeño chilies (to 1.5)
salt to taste
Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
12 oz (340 g) tomatillos (2" wide)
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
6 oz (170 g) potato-garlic or french bread
12 cup baby arugula (8 oz (227 g)) rinsed, crisped
0.5 cup thinly-sliced manchego cheese (2 oz (57 g))

How to prepare

In a 1- to 1.5 qt (1.42 liter) pan over high heat, boil orange juice until it is reduced to 0.25 cup, which should take about 4 to 5 minutes. Let it cool.
Add minced shallots, lime juice, lemon juice, and ground cumin to the cooled orange juice. Whisk in salad oil. Add minced fresh jalapeño chilies, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Remove and discard the husks from the tomatillos. Rinse them and cut them into quarters. In a bowl, mix the tomatillos with extra-virgin olive oil.
Cut the potato-garlic or French bread into 1 inch-thick slices. Set the tomatillo quarters and bread slices on a grill over a solid bed of hot coals or a gas grill on high heat. Turn them as needed until they are browned on all sides. This should take about 1 to 2 minutes for the bread and 5 to 7 minutes for the tomatillos. Let them cool. Cut the bread into 1 inch cubes.
In a large bowl, mix the tomatillos, bread, baby arugula, and dressing. Use a vegetable peeler to shave about 0.5 cup of thin slices off a wedge of Manchego cheese. Mix the cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste into the salad.
This recipe yields 6 servings.

Variations

Add grilled shrimp or chicken for a protein boost.
Substitute feta cheese for the Manchego for a different flavor profile.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to let the orange juice cool before adding the other ingredients to the dressing.

- Grilling the tomatillos and bread adds a smoky flavor to the salad.

- Use a vegetable peeler to get thin slices of Manchego cheese for a delicate touch.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Cuban Bread Salad as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

Grilling the tomatillos and bread adds a smoky flavor to the salad.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you can't find tomatillos, you can use green tomatoes as a substitute.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the dressing and grill the tomatillos and bread ahead of time. Just assemble the salad right before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Cuban Bread Salad in a large bowl with the shaved Manchego cheese on top for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Cuban Bread Salad with a crisp white wine or a mojito for a refreshing meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad is best enjoyed fresh and does not reheat well.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Calories: 350 per serving

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates: 24g per serving

Fats

Total Fat: 23g per serving

Saturated Fat: 6g per serving

Proteins

Protein: 8g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamin C: 20% of daily value per serving

Calcium: 15% of daily value per serving

Iron: 10% of daily value per serving

Alergens

Contains wheat and dairy (Manchego cheese)

Summary

Cuban Bread Salad is a balanced dish with a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Cuban Bread Salad is a delicious and unique dish that combines the flavors of tomatillos, French bread, and Manchego cheese for a refreshing and satisfying meal. Enjoy this salad as a side dish or a light lunch option.

How did I get this recipe?

I have a clear memory of the first time I discovered this recipe for Cuban Bread Salad. It was many years ago, during a trip to Cuba with my husband. We were staying in a quaint little village, surrounded by lush green fields and vibrant flowers. One evening, we were invited to a local family's home for dinner, and that's when I first tasted this delicious dish.

The matriarch of the family, Maria, was a wonderful cook and she had prepared a feast for us that evening. As we sat down at the table, she brought out a large bowl of bread salad. I had never seen anything like it before - chunks of crusty bread tossed with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and herbs, all drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette. It was simple yet bursting with flavor, and I knew I had to learn how to make it myself.

After dinner, I asked Maria if she would be willing to share her recipe with me. She smiled warmly and invited me into her kitchen. As we worked together, she explained each step in detail, from soaking the bread in water to chopping the vegetables just right. I watched in awe as she effortlessly created this masterpiece, her hands moving with a grace and precision that only comes from years of practice.

As I made the salad for the first time in my own kitchen back home, I could still hear Maria's voice guiding me through each step. I added my own twist to the recipe, incorporating some of my favorite herbs and spices to make it my own. The result was a dish that instantly transported me back to that warm and welcoming kitchen in Cuba.

Over the years, I have made Cuban Bread Salad countless times, each time sharing it with family and friends who have all fallen in love with its unique flavors. I have passed the recipe down to my children and grandchildren, hoping that they too will appreciate the magic of this simple yet unforgettable dish.

I have learned so much from my travels and the people I have met along the way. Each recipe I have collected is not just a list of ingredients and instructions, but a story waiting to be told. And the story of Cuban Bread Salad will always hold a special place in my heart, a reminder of the kindness and generosity of strangers who have welcomed me into their homes and shared a piece of their culture with me.

As I sit down to enjoy a bowl of Cuban Bread Salad once again, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences and memories that have shaped me into the cook I am today. And I can only hope that this recipe will continue to bring joy and comfort to those who taste it, just as it has done for me all these years.