Italian Bruschetta Crostini
Bruschetta Crostini
Bruschetta is more than Italian bread garnished with chopped tomatoes. The word bruschetta literally means to refer to a bare slice of toasted Italian bread which has been rubbed with garlic and drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil. Crostini usually referrs to small pieces of toast garnished with diced tomatoes, pesto sauce, cheese, and mushrooms, and/or any of numerous other topping possibilities. Depending on the application, crostini and bruschetta are almost interchangeable.
Italian Bruschetta
one loaf French baguette, cut into half-inch slices
one half cup garlic infused olive oil
two cloves garlic peeled and roasted
four red ripe tomatoes diced into small pieces
one half cup extra-virgin olive oil
one half cup chopped basil leaves
alternative additions can be: grated mozzarella cheese, sliced Kalamata olives, sliced mushrooms, or an olive paste or spread.
Preheat the oven to 375°. Arrange bread slices in a single layer over a large baking sheet. Drizzle bread slices with garlic olive oil or rub the slices with roasted garlic cloves. Drizzle well with olive oil. Place baking sheet in the oven and toast bread until slightly brown. Depending upon your oven, turn the bread slices over in about 2 1/2 minutes. Brown both sides, but be careful not to burn the toasted bread slices.
Place the chopped tomatoes with the basil leaves in a medium mixing bowl. Add garlic olive oil and toss until well blended. Use about a spoonful of the tomato mixture on each bruschetta toasted bread slice. After all bread slices have topping applied, return the baking sheet to the oven and heat for about one minute. If you’re using any of the alternative toppings be sure to sprinkle these on top of the bread slices before reheating in the oven. Serve hot.
bruschetta, crostini
Technorati Tags: bruschetta, crostini
