Kerryn Boogaard Kerryn Boogaard
Beverly Goldsmith Beverly Goldsmith
Zoe Bingley-Pullin Zoe Bingley-Pullin

Weekend Recipe: Summer Crunchy Salad:

Chef Ben O'Donoghue shares a last of summer feast - and shows us how to do it also!
By Ben O'Donoghue
Date: March 28 2014
Tags: recipe,
Editor Rating:
crunchy-salad
Granted. It's no longer summer. But we all love the idea of it lingering on, don't we? 
 
For what is the last weekend before we probably have to reluctantly wave summer goodbye, here is my Summer Crunchy Salad recipe. It's a Roasted Buttermilk Brined Organic Chicken with Panatela.
 
It might sound complicated on paper, so I've included a video so you can watch it also. Trust me, it's easy - and it's delicious.
 
Serves 6 
 
Ingredients 
  • 12 good size chicken thighs, skin kept on 
  • 500 mls buttermilk 
  • ½ onion
  • ½ tablespoon cracked black pepper 
  • salt
Aioli to serve 
  • 3-4 tablespoons homemade BBQ sauce 
For the salad 
  • 6 ripe truss tomatoes or large heirloom tomatoes, blanched and skin removed and strain the seed pulp and juice and reserved 
  • 1 loaf of ciabatta, crust removed and pulled into chunks 
  • ½ bunch of basil, green picked and washed 
  • ½ bunch of purple basil, picked and washed 
  • 150mls extra virgin olive oil 
  • 50ml red wine vinegar 
  • 2 cloves of garlic  
  • 1 teaspoon of salt 
Method 
 
Firstly make the brine and the chicken. It's best to do this the night before. 
 
1.  Combine the buttermilk with the onion, salt, cracked black pepper and pour over the chicken thighs, in a dish big enough to hold all the ingredients.  Cover and place in the fridge over night. 
 
Next day (or a few hours later).
 
2.  Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees 
 
3.  Drizzle the trimmed crustless ciabatta chunks of bread in about 50 mls of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Season with salt and pepper, toast until crunchy and golden brown then set aside. 
 
4.  To make the dressing, pound ¼ of each basil in a mortar and pestle with a good pinch of salt and the garlic cloves until a fine paste is achieved.
 
5.  Add the strained tomato juice, red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil this is the dressing reserve.
 
6.  Make your aioli 
 
7.  Remove the chicken thighs from the brine and discard the brine.  
 
8.  Pat the chicken dry and arrange on a roasting rack over a tray and roast in the oven for 20 minutes until golden and crispy. 
 
9.  Remove from the oven and brush liberally with the BBQ sauce and return to the oven for about 5 minutes to caramelize and bubble. 
 
10.  Remove from the oven and allow to rest. 
 
11.  Whilst you do this prepare the salad. 
 
12.  In a large bowl, tear the tomatoes into chunks, combine with the bread and dress liberally with the dressing 
 
13.  Add the basil as you serve (the bread should absorb the dressing and in part be crunchy, soft and juicy)  
 
To serve: arrange the panzanella and chicken on a large serving platter, then dollop with aioli. Enjoy with a nice cold glass of white wine!
 

Share This Tweet This Email To Friend
Related Articles
cabernet-cinnamon-poached-pear
It's Australian Pear Month and what better way to celebrate…
Read more
kats_puttanesca
A 'go to' recipe inspired by Jamie (Oliver) and perfected…
Read more
walnut-crusted_salmon
Two super foods, one super recipe.
Read more
butterchicken
Here's an easy recipe that's nonetheless perfect for a winter's…
Read more
Cry babies

Dry your eyes!
The newest additions are on their way from the Babies who cry real tears!

Shipping-containers-freight-wallpaper-preview

Latest Tech Used In Shipping Containers
Read how the shipping industry has revolutionised

Motherpedia cover-2

Win 1 set of a 4-book hardcover illustrated boxed set
Barbara Murray’s new 4-book Sound Stories is perfect for parents and educators and could assist with NAPLAN results

Motherpedia cover (4)

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest Australia
Get ready for this celebration!

Motherpedia cover-4

A Fortnight of Foodie Experiences at East Village
A taste of East Village. What's in it for me?

Globber my too fix up cover

We Try: Globber My TOO Fix Up
A scooter that grows with your child

Throw a winning cricket pitch

3 Steps to a Winning Backyard Cricket Pitch
Ex-Adelaide Oval legend curator Les Burdett shares his tips for getting your backyard cricket pitch test match ready this summer

A bike that follows your kids life cycle - motherpedia - cover

A Bike That Follows Your Kids Life Cycle
Check out the Bunzi 2-in-1 gradual balance bike!

Moonlight lifestyle

Moonlight Cinema to bring…
Moonlight Cinema announces brand new Western Sydney venue

Screen shot 2019-11-26 at 8.29.12 am

Your Magical Christmas Wonderland…
Adventure park is about to light up the night sky with its "Christmas Festival of Lights"

Screen shot 2019-11-21 at 11.11.36 am

The Preston Market Gets…
It's time to feel pumped up for the holiday season!

Bruno-kelzer-zqzuigxcvrq-unsplash

Bunnings team members get…
Help raise funds by buying a snag or donating at your local store.