Best Easy Ciallèdda Barese Recipe

Cold bread soup from Bari with tomatoes, onion, and olive oil is Puglia's summer refresher. A vegetarian mediterranean dish that's healthy, fresh, and perfect for hot-weather family meals.

Cook 20 min Difficulty EASY 210 kcal
#vegetarian #mediterranean #diabetic friendly
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • stale country bread 4 cups
  • ripe tomatoes 3 pieces
  • red onion 1 pieces
  • cucumber 1 pieces
Seasonings/Sauce
  • extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp
  • sea salt 0.75 tsp
  • black pepper 0.25 tsp
  • fresh basil 0.25 cup
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 32 g 59%
Protein 6 g 11%
Fat 7 g 30%
Serving size 200g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Slice the stale country bread into bite-sized cubes and place in a wide bowl.

  2. 2

    Dice ripe tomatoes, slice the red onion thinly, and cut the cucumber into half-moons; scatter all over the bread.

  3. 3

    Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil evenly, then sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper for well-balanced seasoning.

  4. 4

    Toss everything gently with your hands to allow the bread to soak up the tomato juice; add fresh basil leaves last to retain their aroma.

  5. 5

    Let the mixture rest for 10–15 minutes at room temperature so flavors meld and the bread softens without turning mushy. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The defining ingredient in this Ciallèdda Barese recipe is stale country bread. It provides the signature texture, soaking up the juices and flavors from the fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and basil, creating the unique identity of the dish.
Q. What’s the best timing to add basil for maximum freshness?
For optimal aroma and color, add the fresh basil leaves at the very end—just before letting the salad rest. This preserves their bright flavor and prevents wilting during the bread soaking phase.
Q. How do you prevent the bread from getting overly soggy?
Use day-old or stale bread and let the mixture rest just 10–15 minutes. Toss gently and avoid over-soaking; this ensures the bread is moist and flavorful without turning mushy.
Q. How many calories and nutrients does one serving provide?
Each 200g serving has about 210 kcal, with 32g carbs (59%), 6g protein (11%), and 7g fat (30%), offering a balanced, light meal ideal for summer.
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