Tuscan Bruschetta Recipes

RUSTIC TUSCAN PEPPER BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, honey and mint. Add peppers; toss to coat. Let stand 15 minutes., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat goat cheese and cream cheese. Spread 1 rounded teaspoon on each cracker. Drain peppers well. Arrange peppers on cheese-topped crackers.

ITALIAN-STYLE BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Stir tomatoes, basil, 3 tablespoons olive oil, red onion, garlic, red wine vinegar, and pepper together in a bowl; let tomato mixture stand at room temperature for 15 minutes, then place in the refrigerator to marinate for 45 minutes.
• Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Brush one side of each slice of bread with remaining olive oil. Place bread slices, oiled-side-up, onto a baking sheet.
• Broil until golden brown, about 2 minutes; remove from oven. Spoon tomato mixture evenly over the top of toasted bread slices; drizzle balsamic vinegar evenly over tomato mixture. Serve immediately.

TUSCAN BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Combine diced Roma tomatoes (use as many as necessary depending on size) with white and green onions, and minced garlic in a clear, resealable tupperware container and mix thoroughly.
• Add White Balsamic Vinagrette to taste (normally I watch the sides of the container until the vinagrette comes up 1/3 of the mixture).
• Add Roasted Garlic oil also to taste (1/4 cup works for me).
• Stir ingredients with a wooden spoon until evenly and thoroughly mixed.
• Seal and refrigerate for several hours or overnight (the longer it sits the more the flavours of the oil and vinagrette will be absorbed). Should be served the next day for best taste.
• Prior to serving: slice baguette diagonally (for larger pieces) into1/2" - 1" slices and toast to desired doneness in the oven (I have a double oven with a smaller top oven that has a toast setting, one toast cycle - 3 minutes - normally does the trick but I always watch it so the small pieces don't burn).
• Place toasted bread slices on a plate and take the remaining peeled whole garlic cloves and rub them gently but quickly on one side of each of the slices. You can also pour a small amount of the garlic oil on a plate and brush it lightly on the slices but I find the rubbing gives the same flavour without sogging up the bread.
• Remove bruschetta mixture from fridge and give it a quick stir (and taste!). Add feta cheese to taste.
• I prefer to use a rounded plastic spoon to scoop and drain mixture then place onto bread slices immediately before serving.
• Garnish with oregano and basil.
• Tip: I find most people's complaints about bruschetta is soggyness. The ways I prevent this is with slightly thicker toasted slices of italian bread (holds up better under the weight of the mixture and juices sit on top longer instead of soaking in in seconds), lower-moisture Roma tomatoes, less liquid added and only adding the mixture to the bread slices right before serving.

TUSCAN FETTUNTA AND LE BRUSCHETTE: TUSCAN TOASTED BREAD AND BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• For the Tuscan fettunta: Rub each slice of bread with 1/2 a garlic clove. Drizzle the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
• For the cannellini bruschetta: Rub a garlic clove over each slice of bread. Mash half the beans and generously spread the cannellini beans on each slice of bread. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
• For the avocado bruschetta: Rub each slice of bread with 1/2 a garlic clove. Divide and spread the avocado on each slice of bread. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

THE REAL ITALIAN BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• chop roma tomatoes, red onion, and garlic put into medium sized bowl, set aside in food processor chop the basil until very fine, add to tomato mixture.
• add red wine vinegar and oil, and salt/pepper and mix well.
• let sit.
• meanwhile grill/ or broil bread until just toasted.
• serve and watch the eyes of your guests get dreamy over the unique taste of this great dish.