The time has come, and you know you're not the only one...

I read the newest IHCC post and got to the part about potluck alphabet soup parties and my brain automatically moved to Amy Sedaris theme parties, then to seventies key parties, and then somehow I was thinking about Boogie Nights and singing "Sister Christian." None of this has anything to do with this salad. It just goes to show you that my brain works in curious ways.

I've never been to an alphabet soup party (or a key party for that matter, so chill) but Kim says that people who have names beginning with the letters G-K bring a salad. I can work with that. I also had a really tasty loaf of raisin walnut artisan bread that I can't believe I even paid for, since I now can bake my own. I came across Mark's Grilled Bread Salad, but having only this sweet bread, I needed to adapt. I thought about raisins and tomatoes, which made me think of this Moroccan inspired chicken dish I make in the winter, and then I started thinking of Morocco and Sex and the City 2 and how badly I would love to go there on vacation and own at least one pair of Jimmy Choos. Alas, I can eat this salad and dream.

Grilled Bread Salad
Adapted from Mark Bittman's Quick and Easy Recipes from the New York Times
* Changes/additions in red

Ingredients:
1 small baguette or other artisan loaf (I used raisin walnut)
1 1/2 lbs. cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/4 c. red onion, scallion, or shallot, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
Juice of one lemon
1/4 c. olive oil
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. cinnamon
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup mint leaves, finely chopped

Preparation:
Slice bread into quarters lengthwise. Set under broiler or onto a preheated grill. Cook until just lightly charred, but not blackened. Turn and repeat. Remove and set aside to cool. Cut into 1 inch cubes.
In a large bowl, add tomatoes and press with the back of a fork to release seeds and juices. Add onion, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin and cinnamon and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Add bread, toss to coat, and let stand 20-30 minutes. Bread cubes should be moist, but still crispy at the edges. Add mint and serve.

Print the recipe

p.fricking.s! See that adorable little plate? It's made from a palm leaf and is entirely biodegradable and compostable. I got them from the lovely folks at Marx Foods and now I want a huge batch for our beach house week this summer.