Tomato Basil And Goat Cheese Bruschetta Recipes

BRUSCHETTAS WITH GOATS' CHEESE, BASIL AND TOMATO

Steps:

• First combine about 1 tablespoon olive oil with the crushed garlic and spread over the baking sheet, then slice the bread into thinnish rounds; you won't need all the loaf. Now arrange the slices on the baking sheet, press them into the oil then turn them the other way up so that each surface has a slight coating of garlicky oil. Bake them in the centre of the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they have turned a golden brown and become very crisp. Do watch the timing on this - I have thrown away more burnt croutons of bread than I care to remember! Cool them on a wire rack and store in an airtight tin until you need them (they will be okay for up to 2 weeks, which is very helpful). When you're ready to serve, skin the tomatoes by pouring boiling water over them, leave for 1 minute, then halve them, scoop out the pips, slip off the skins and chop the flesh into tiny dice. Now simply spread each crisp bread slice first with a thin layer of pesto, then with a generous layer of goats' cheese, and sprinkle on the diced tomato together with a little crushed sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper. Finally, using a small teaspoon, add a few droplets of olive oil - though be careful not to overdo this. Scatter a few fresh basil leaves over the bruschettas to serve.

TOMATO AND BASIL BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Whisk together chopped garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper, and basil.
• When combined slowly drizzle in oil.
• Add tomatoes and let sit for 20 minutes at room temp.
• Meanwhile back at the bat cave, toast the bread.
• This can be done either in the toaster (if it's got really wide slots) or under the broiler (if using this method watch closely so it doesn't become a brickette).
• When the bread is toasted rub each piece, on one side, with the whole garlic pieces.
• Place the bread on a cookie sheet and top with tomato mixture.
• Sprinkle on a little cheese and broil till the cheese melts (you can skip that last broiling bit and it's equally as wonderful).
• Serve immediately.
• The tomato mixture also makes a wonderful vinegrette for an antipasto salad.
• Enjoy!

BRUSCHETTA WITH GARLIC, GOATS CHEESE AND BASIL

Steps:

• Cut the french stick into slices widthways (about as wide as 2 fingers).
• If you are using peppers, cut them into pieces the size of the slices of bread, grill them until the skins are burnt.
• Once the skins are burnt, let the peppers cool and remove the skins.
• Chop the tomatoes into small pieces and mix with a drizzle of olive oil, shredded basil, garlic and salt and pepper to taste Brush the slices of french stick with olive oil and grill briefly until golden Once grilled, remove the bread from the grill and top with the tomato/garlic/basil mixture.
• Add peppers if using.
• Dollop small pieces of goats cheese on top and again grill briefly.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO BRUSCHETTA WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Slice your bread, if you have not done so already; place them on a baking sheet which you have lined with aluminum foil (just in case something falls off and tries to burn).
• Place the bread under the broiler and toast until light golden; remove.
• Turn the bread over, place the bread under the broiler and toast just until the bread firms slightly but not golden yet; remove.
• Brush the lighter side with olive oil (you may decline this if you are using tomatoes packed in oil, but it's your choice).
• On top of that lay out some basil leaves to cover the top of the bread.
• Mince the sun-dried tomatoes and sprinkle on top of the basil; I use regular dried on mine that are still pliant like raisins; if yours are hard you may need to have soaked them in warm water in advance and squeezed dry then mince; but you can do that now, no biggie.
• On top of the tomatoes sprinkle a generous amount of goat cheese and tap down so it doesn't fall off.
• If you like you can add a pinch of sea salt but I didn't.
• Place the bruschettas under the broiler and toast just until the cheese starts to soften and the edges get nice and brown; serve.