Panzanella salad - what would you serve as a main dish?

[jello]

I am having friends for dinner on Saturday and want to serve a Panzanella salad (I am currently obsessed with this). What should I serve as a main dish? Preferably not a pasta?? Any suggestions? Thanks!

[jello]

Thanks everyone....I decided to do grill some sirloin steaks and marinated swordfish. Thanks for all of your suggestions!

[katecm]

I'm gonna be a pain and disagree with the roast chicken. It doesn't seem seasonal enough for a panzanella. I'd get thin-cut chicken breasts - or just carefully pound out breasts - and either grill them or bread and pan-fry them. If you grill them, I'd season with salt, pepper, oregano, lemon zest and basil and then top with a drizzle of balsamic reduction. If you pan-fry, I like to bread them with panko and serve with a wedge of lemon.

[lexpatti]

Me too - an addiction to panzanella salads - they are pretty diverse too. I think a nice roasted chix or even a pork loin might be nice or a beautiful piece of fish like swordfish or tuna.

[bushwickgirl]

I'm six for the roast chicken. As an alternative, lightly marinated, roasted or grilled salmon filets, sword or tuna steaks would work nicely.

[operagirl]

Gonna put in another vote for roast chicken! I'm sure it's the Zuni Cafe recipe's fault, but I can't help thinking of the two together.

http://operagirlcooks.com

[pikawicca]

In our house, Panzanella IS the main. Maybe bruschetta to start, then the salad, then a cheese or fruit course.

[elfcook]

we eat panzanella all summer long - my kids love it. It pairs with almost anything in my house, but I particularly like it with grilled steak or grilled, marinated chicken. Roast chicken is wonderful, too, but I like to do roasted veggies with that. You could also grill tuna or swordfish steak.

[Gio]

Roast chicken immediately comes to mind but if you have access to a BBQ grill/Weber kettle then any grilled meat will be terrific.

[goodhealthgourmet]

+1. roast chicken (or grilled, marinated chicken pieces) would be perfect. other options - a mixed grill, or seafood salad with a light vinaigrette.