Description
To truly appreciate this recipe, let’s first talk about what a traditional panzanella is. Originating from Tuscany, Italy, a classic panzanella is a salad made with stale bread, tomatoes, onions, and basil, all soaked in a vinaigrette. The beauty of the dish lies in its simplicity and its celebration of humble ingredients, where the stale bread transforms from something that might be thrown away into a key component that soaks up all the glorious juices and flavors. It’s a rustic, hearty, and quintessentially Italian way of eating.
Ingredients
- 1 lb small tomatoes (Campari or cocktail), quartered
- 2 mini cucumbers, halved lengthwise, sliced into half-moons
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced (green and white parts separated)
- 16 oz frozen vegetable dumplings (pot stickers)
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp chili crisp
- Neutral oil, for frying (2–3 cups)
- Kosher salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the veggies Toss tomatoes, cucumbers, and scallions in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Fry the dumplings Heat neutral oil in a skillet over medium-high. Fry dumplings until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels and season lightly with salt.
- Make the dressing In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, sesame seeds, sugar, and chili crisp.
- Assemble the salad Add crispy dumplings to the veggie bowl. Pour over dressing and toss gently to coat.
- Serve Garnish with scallion greens and extra sesame seeds. Serve warm or at room temp.
Notes
This playful twist on the classic panzanella salad combines crispy pot stickers with fresh veggies for a fusion-style dish. You can serve it warm or at room temperature, making it great for potlucks or casual dinners. For extra flavor, drizzle with chili oil or sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad / Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying & Tossing
- Cuisine: Fusion (Asian–Italian inspired)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 25
Keywords: Potsticker Panzanella recipe, Crispy dumpling salad, Dumpling panzanella