Posted by Randy Parr in the Recipe Requests forum on 11/6/2003
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Bruschetta
1 good french baguette, sliced thinly on the bias
1/2 Cup olive oil
1 large clove of garlic, sliced
3-4 of the best ripe tomatoes you can find, sliced in half, gently squeeze out the seeds, then chop.
black olives, sliced thin (personal preference on the amount but should be at least 8)
1 Tbsp fresh basil, sliced thin in julienne or chopped, again your preference
1 Tbsp+ of the best balsamic vinegar you can find
Fresh mozzerella...if you can find the small golf ball size ones even better. figure on one slice per piece of bread.
Gently heat the olive oil and garlic together for about 30 minutes, do not allow to boil. With a pastry brush, brush the bread with the oil lightly on both sides. Place in broiler in one layer and brown lightly on both sides. Set aside.
Add tomatoes, olives, basil and balsamic vinegar and toss together. Season to taste with salt and pepper and then add more balsamic vinegar if you like, added no more than 1 tsp additonal at a time, tasting in between additions.
If you only have the large ball of mozzerella, slice evenly and if needed, cut into pieces that will not overlap your bread. If you have the small balls of mozzerella, bring an egg slicer with you and guests can slice them as needed. Egg slicers work great for this!
In a basket large enough to accomodate your ingredients, arrange the bread slices, overlapping in a daisy-like pattern. place your tomatoes mixture in a bowl (covered with saran for traveling) and place in the center of the basket. Arrange the mozzerella around the bowl, garnish with fresh sprigs of basil. Be sure to line the basket with a towel, and if it is very deep you may need to place a crumpled towel or two underneath to give you some height. Cheap baskets are available at craft stores, Pier 1, and most large pharmacy chains during the holiday season. If you really want to wow your hostess, wrap in clear or holiday patterned wrap and gather at the top, tie off with some ribbon or rafia, and in addition to bringing the appetizer, you have brought a lovely hostess gift, you could even pop a bottle of wine in there (Italian of course) and arrange the bread slices around it.
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Gal
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
-Steven Wright
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Bruschetta
1 good french baguette, sliced thinly on the bias
1/2 Cup olive oil
1 large clove of garlic, sliced
3-4 of the best ripe tomatoes you can find, sliced in half, gently squeeze out the seeds, then chop.
black olives, sliced thin (personal preference on the amount but should be at least 8)
1 Tbsp fresh basil, sliced thin in julienne or chopped, again your preference
1 Tbsp+ of the best balsamic vinegar you can find
Fresh mozzerella...if you can find the small golf ball size ones even better. figure on one slice per piece of bread.
Gently heat the olive oil and garlic together for about 30 minutes, do not allow to boil. With a pastry brush, brush the bread with the oil lightly on both sides. Place in broiler in one layer and brown lightly on both sides. Set aside.
Add tomatoes, olives, basil and balsamic vinegar and toss together. Season to taste with salt and pepper and then add more balsamic vinegar if you like, added no more than 1 tsp additonal at a time, tasting in between additions.
If you only have the large ball of mozzerella, slice evenly and if needed, cut into pieces that will not overlap your bread. If you have the small balls of mozzerella, bring an egg slicer with you and guests can slice them as needed. Egg slicers work great for this!
In a basket large enough to accomodate your ingredients, arrange the bread slices, overlapping in a daisy-like pattern. place your tomatoes mixture in a bowl (covered with saran for traveling) and place in the center of the basket. Arrange the mozzerella around the bowl, garnish with fresh sprigs of basil. Be sure to line the basket with a towel, and if it is very deep you may need to place a crumpled towel or two underneath to give you some height. Cheap baskets are available at craft stores, Pier 1, and most large pharmacy chains during the holiday season. If you really want to wow your hostess, wrap in clear or holiday patterned wrap and gather at the top, tie off with some ribbon or rafia, and in addition to bringing the appetizer, you have brought a lovely hostess gift, you could even pop a bottle of wine in there (Italian of course) and arrange the bread slices around it.
--------------------
Gal
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
-Steven Wright