Ricks Basic Bruschetta Recipe Epicuriouscom

BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler or start a charcoal or wood fire. Broil or grill the bread until lightly browned on both sides. This may take less than a minute on a side; watch carefully so the bread doesn't burn.
• While it's still hot, rub the bread with the garlic on one or both sides. Put it on a plate, then drizzle it with olive oil and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

BRUSCHETTA WITH BORLOTTI BEANS AND PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA

Steps:

• 1. Put the beans in a bowl or pot and add enough cold water to cover. Set aside to soak at room temperature for at least 8 hours. Change the water once or twice, if possible.
• 2. Drain the beans, transfer to a heavy-bottomed pot, and add water to cover by an inch or two. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, skim off any foam that rises to the surface, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beans are nearly tender. Check the water level during cooking and replenish it, if necessary. It's important to keep the beans submerged at all times during cooking.
• 3. Drain the beans and cool at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until needed. The cooked beans will keep for up to 2 days.
• 4. In a large pot, cook the bacon over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes, or until brown and the fat is rendered. Add the onion, celery, fennel, salt, cayenne, and black pepper and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the onion softens. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds, then add the wine. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a brisk simmer, and cook until reduced by half.
• 5. Add the tomatoes and their juices. Cook for about 2 minutes, then add the stock, vinegar, bay leaf, and beans.
• 6. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, season to taste with salt and pepper, cover, and simmer for 10 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add more stock if necessary to keep the beans well moistened. Stir in the butter until incorporated.
• 7. Remove the beans from the heat and let them cool in the liquid until warm or room temperature.
• 8. In a small bowl, mix together the basil and sage.
• 9. Using a slotted spoon, scoop some beans from the pot and put on top of each toast. Too much liquid will make the bruschetta soggy, so drain carefully when lifting the beans from the pot.
• 10. Garnish each bruschetta with 1 slice of prosciutto and a sprinkling of the herbs. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

RICK'S BASIC CROSTINI

Steps:

• 1. On a cutting board, finely chop the garlic and sprinkle the salt over it. Keep chopping and smashing the garlic and salt together to make a paste. Use a wide-bladed knife so you can smear the paste along its flat side. You can also do this with a mortar and pestle.
• 2. In a small bowl, mix the butter, lemon juice, and garlic paste. Fold the softened butter over and onto the garlic mixture, mashing it down with the back of a spoon or spatula. Season to taste with pepper and continue folding.
• 3. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on a work surface. Scrape the butter onto the plastic and use the plastic wrap to shape butter into a log, encased in the plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to use. If not using within 3 days, you can freeze the garlic butter for up to 2 months. Let the butter soften before using.
• 4. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• 5. Lay the bread on a baking sheet and brush both sides with garlic butter. Bake for 6 to 7 minutes, turning once, until golden brown but not too crispy. Let cool before using.
• Good Butter
• The difference between really good butter and all other butter lies with the butterfat content of the cream, which depends in large part on the cows and how the cream is handled before it is churned into butter. The best butter from Europe is made from raw or cultured cream and, particularly that made from raw cream, might not be imported to the United States. But never fear: At American companies such as the Vermont Butter & Cheese Company, the butter is made from high-grade cream (a high butterfat content) that is cultured and then churned. The butter is rich and flavorful and when it's salted, its salt content is significantly lower than typical salted butter. This is what I use in my crostini recipes, so depending on the salted butter you choose, you may not need to add any salt. As with all ingredients for these recipes, choose the best butter you can. It pays off in terms of taste.