This continuing hot weather is stretching the culinary imagination to come up with tempting dishes that don't require a lot of time in the kitchen. This out of the ordinary salad is a great choice.

Ingredients

• 1 small loaf day old Italian or French bread, about 6 cups
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced basil
• 7 cups ready to serve salad greens
• 1 small green pepper, julienned
• 1 cup sliced pepperoni
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing *

Directions

• Heat oven to 275.
• Cut bread into one inch cubes and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Toss with olive oil and bake until slightly crisp, but not toasted, about 20-25 minutes.
• Remove from oven and cool. (If you want to avoid using the oven you can cut up the bread and let it dry out overnight at room temperature.)
• Place all ingredients in a large salad bowl and gently toss to combine. Drizzle with dressing.

Serves six to eight.

* To make your own dressing:

• 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Combine all ingredients in a small jar. Cap with a lid and shake vigorously to mix.