Sicilian Bruschetta Recipe 55

ITALIAN-STYLE BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Stir tomatoes, basil, 3 tablespoons olive oil, red onion, garlic, red wine vinegar, and pepper together in a bowl; let tomato mixture stand at room temperature for 15 minutes, then place in the refrigerator to marinate for 45 minutes.
• Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Brush one side of each slice of bread with remaining olive oil. Place bread slices, oiled-side-up, onto a baking sheet.
• Broil until golden brown, about 2 minutes; remove from oven. Spoon tomato mixture evenly over the top of toasted bread slices; drizzle balsamic vinegar evenly over tomato mixture. Serve immediately.

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Combine the diced tomato with fresh basil, dried oregano, a pinch of salt, 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, oregano, a pinch of salt, and a splash (1 teaspoon) of balsamic vinegar. Chill.
• Slice the baguette into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices. Cut off the end of the garlic clove and rub the garlic onto each side of each piece of bread. Drizzle both sides of the sliced bread with a little olive oil (or use a brush to brush it on).
• Toast on a grill or in a hot skillet until browned on both sides.
• Top hot bread with cold tomato bruschetta and serve immediately.

SICILIAN BRUSCHETTA RECIPE - (5/5)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lay bread on a baking sheet and drizzle with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Bake until toasted and light golden brown, about 5 minutes, then set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium high heat. Cook eggplant stirring often, until softened and starting to brown, for about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. In the same pan, cook garlic in remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, stirring, until fragrant for about 1 minute. Add celery, bell pepper, and olives, stirring to combine, and cook until softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup water, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, raisins, and pine nuts, and cook until heated through. Stir in reserved eggplant, salt, and sugar, then mix in the fresh basil, oregano, and flat leaf parsley. Serve caponata mixture with ricotta on the toasted bread.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and saute until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Season with salt. Add the red pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, raisins, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat until the flavors blend and the mixture thickens, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar, and capers. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Use as a filling for sandwiches, a topping to bruschetta or pizza, or as a side dish for chicken, pork or seafood. Store in the refrigerator covered for up to one week.