Simple, Fresh, Delicious Bruschetta

Simple, fresh flavors that make you go mmmmmmm.   That’s what bruschetta does for me.  Just the thought of fresh chopped tomatoes, thinly sliced basil, finely minced garlic, chopped onions, a pinch of salt and a splash of balsamic vinegar gets my taste buds salivating.  Spoon this magical mixture over some sliced grilled italian bread, and you’ve given a whole new meaning to the phrase “happy meal”.

The bread….

We purchase this great garlic infused oraganic italian bread from Food Lion.  Yes, Food Lion!  If your grocery store has a bakery, then pick up a loaf of their fresh baked bread.  It’s hard to go wrong with grocery store bread anymore.

Or if you’re motivated enough to bake your own, visit Rufus’ Food and Spirits Guide and give his mom’s italian bread recipe a try – it looks amazing!

• Slice the bread, medium thick so it holds up when you grill it.
• Pour 1/4 – 1/3 cup of olive oil into a small dish, and add about 4 cloves of crushed garlic.  Mix it up with a pastry brush and brush it onto one side of each slice.
• Place the bread on a hot indoor or outdoor grill oil side down.  As that side grills, brush the olive oil and garlic mixture onto the side that’s upright.
• Don’t burn the bread, but leave it on long enough to create dark grill marks on one side then flip it over and do the same on the other side.
• Pile the bread slices onto a plate and set aside.

The bruschetta….

• 3-4 medium tomatoes, chopped (romas are great for bruschetta)
• 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roll the leaves tight and slice across for chiffonade
• 1/2 medium sweet onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp sundried tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1-2 pinches of salt

Gently stir the ingredients together, and spoon over the grilled bread.  Absolute heaven!

Variations

I don’t like to mess much with simplicity, but there’s always room for some improvisation.  Here are some variations:

Simple Additions:  Add some good quality chopped italian olives; roasted red and/or green peppers; fresh parsley; chopped artichoke hearts; small chunks of pepperoni or salami; some fresh mozzarella, parmesan, asiago or romano cheese.  Even anchovies!

Grilled Veggie Bruschetta: Fire roast your tomatoes and sliced onions on the grill or on the smoker for another layer of flavor.  Add roasted eggplant, squash, and roasted peppers.  You can even roast the garlic.

Cheesy Bread:  Add some shaved italian cheese to the bread when you grill it. Let it get nice and melted and bubbly brown. Then top it with the bruschetta.

Other serving ideas:  Try bruschetta on hamburgers or an italian sub.  Or take two slices of your bread and add mozzerella, sundried tomatoes and some basil in between, add some bruschetta, then grill it like a panini. Don’t forget to brush the bread with olive oil and garlic.  Or how about some prosciutto ham and italian cheese with bruschetta on a panini.

Use fresh vegetables and keep it simple and you’ll have an amazing quick meal for two, delicious appetizers for friends, or keep it in the fridge for a great condiment or a healthy dipper for veggies, pita chips, tortilla chips or crackers.  You can also spread cream cheese on crackers and top with a dollop of bruschetta.

Fresh, simple, and exploding with flavor.  You just can’t go wrong with bruschetta!

The best discoveries come from happy accidents…