Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Toast the Bread
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss bread cubes with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon celery salt on a rimmed baking sheet. Spread in a single layer and bake until crisp and golden at the edges, 8-10 minutes, tossing once halfway through. Let cool completely.
Cook the Hot Dogs
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced hot dogs and cook until well-browned and slightly crisp on the edges, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a plate and let cool slightly.
Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together yellow mustard, white vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and poppy seeds until emulsified. The dressing should be tangy and slightly thick.
Assemble the Panzanella
- In a large bowl, combine toasted bread, tomatoes, sweet relish, sport peppers, pickle pieces, and diced onion if using. Add the warm hot dogs and pour the dressing over everything. Toss gently but thoroughly, letting some of the bread absorb the juices while other pieces stay crisp.
- Let stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes so the bread can soak up the tomato juices and dressing. Just before serving, sprinkle with remaining celery salt and garnish with fresh dill. Serve immediately while textures are still varied.
Notes
Day-old bread is essential - fresh bread will turn mushy instead of developing that perfect chewy-crisp texture. If you cannot find sport peppers, pickled serranos or banana peppers with a pinch of extra celery salt make a decent substitute. This salad does not hold well overnight, so plan to eat it within a few hours of assembly for the best texture contrast.
