Dinner tonight! Panzanella with sherry vinaigrette

Skewers are fun. Thread something -- almost anything -- on a stick and all of a sudden the food just seems carefree. Even happy. For something on the lighter side, these bread salad skewers with sherry vinaigrette from Matt Armendariz are bright, colorful and oh-so-flavorful. And wonderfully easy, whether you’re entertaining a house full of guests or simply serving the usual suspects.

For more quick-fix dinner ideas, check out our video recipe gallery here. Food Editor Russ Parsons and Test Kitchen manager Noelle Carter show you how to fix a dozen dishes in an hour or less.

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Panzanella with sherry vinaigrette

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 12 skewers

Note: Adapted from “On a Stick!” by Matt Armendariz.

24 (1-inch) cubes French bread (from approximately ½ loaf)

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt

Pinch black pepper

1/4 cup sherry vinegar

1/2 shallot, finely chopped

1½ teaspoons stone-ground mustard

24 cherry tomatoes

24 small mozzarella balls (ciliegine)

24 basil leaves

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Toast the bread: In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes with 2 tablespoons oil, the garlic powder, one-half teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast until golden, 10 to 12 minutes, turning every few minutes.

2. Make the vinaigrette: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sherry vinegar with the shallot and mustard. Slowly whisk in the remaining three-fourths cup olive oil to emulsify. Season with one-eighth teaspoon salt, or to taste.

3. Onto each skewer, thread 2 toasted cubes of bread, 2 tomatoes, 2 mozzarella balls and 2 basil leaves. Just before serving, drizzle liberally with sherry vinaigrette.

Each skewer: 241 calories; 5 grams protein; 9 grams carbohydrates; .66 gram fiber; 20 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 15 mg cholesterol; 1 gram sugar; 222 mg sodium.