1 lb. Italian or french bread
3 lb. tomatoes
1/2 lb. red onion
1 large red or green pepper
20 fresh basil leaves, washed
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
6 tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Cut the bread into thick slices and trim away the crust. soak in ice-cold water for 15 minutes. Drain and squeeze out water with your hands and crumble. Spread the bread out in a single layer while making the rest of the recipe.

Dice the tomatoes, and thinly slice the onion. Core, seed and then dice the pepper.

Beat the vinegar and oil with salt and pepper to taste.

In a salad bowl place the bread, tomatoes, onion, pepper and basil. Spoon on the dressing and toss; adjust the seasonings and serve at once.