BRUSCHETTA
Bruschetta is a classic Italian antipasto or appetizer dish. It is an easy dish to put together at home with some rustic bread slices, tomatoes, olive oil, herbs and garlic.
Ingredients
- 12 slices of bread
- 2 large tomatoes diced
- 1 small onion about 1/4 cup chopped
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp parsley finely chopped
- 1 tbsp coriander/cilantro finely chopped
- 8-10 basil leaves chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper powder
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over low to medium heat. When it becomes a little hot, add the garlic.
- Saute for a few seconds, till the garlic gives out an aroma and is light pink in colour.
- Take the pan off the heat.
- Switch on the broiler to hot.
- Cut the bread into slices that are about ½ inch thick.
- Brush the slices with the garlic infused olive oil.
- Arrange them on a baking tray.
- Allow the bread to toast under the broiler or grill for 5 minutes or till lightly toasted.
- Remove the bread slices from the oven.
PREPARATION OF THE TOPPING:
- Mix chopped tomatoes, onion, herbs, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl.
PREPARATION OF THE APPETIZER:
- Arrange the toasted bread slices or bruschetta on a serving tray.
- Top them with the topping.
- Drizzle the remaining garlic infused olive oil over the topping.
- Sprinkle some parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately.
- Alternately, serve the toasted slices and topping separately. Guests can add the topping on their own.
Notes
- Add chopped green chilli for a different taste.
- Remove the pulp if you are using normal tomatoes. Use the pulp up in a soup, dal, curry, etc.
- Replace parmesan with cheddar, mozzarella, feta, etc. Any cheese of your choice.
- Add fresh herbs of your choice.
- Toast the bread on a hot pan/skillet if you don't want to use the broiler or grill.
An excellent accompaniment to a plain soup or stew.