Basil Flatbread With Roasted Tomatoes And Basil Oil Food

CAPRESE FLATBREAD WITH BALSAMIC REDUCTION

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400º. Place grape tomatoes on a baking sheet and top with olive oil and salt.
• Place in oven and roast tomatoes for 20 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350º.
• Place flatbreads on a baking sheet. Top each flatbread with olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic and spread evenly.
• Top each flatbread with 4 oz. of freshly sliced mozzarella.
• Evenly distribute the roasted grape tomatoes on top of each flatbread.
• Place flatbreads in oven and bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• Top each flatbread with 1 1/2 Tablespoons of fresh chopped basil. {will need a total of 3 T. of basil}
• Lastly, drizzle a Balsamic Reduction over the top! {here's my easy Balsamic Reduction recipe}

FLATBREAD CAPRESE

Steps:

• Combine the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a large bowl and whisk to blend. Stir in the water until it forms a rough dough.
• Sprinkle some flour on a counter or cutting board. Turn the dough out onto the board and sprinkle a bit more flour on top. Knead until the dough becomes a smooth ball, 3 to 4 minutes, adding more flour as needed. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest on the counter for 10 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Roll the dough into a 9x17-inch rectangle and transfer it to the prepared pan. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and bake 18 to 20 minutes, until golden and crisp.
• Meanwhile, combine the mozzarella and tomatoes in a medium bowl. Slice the basil into ribbons and add them to the bowl, along with a drizzle of oil. Season with salt.
• Transfer the flatbread to a cutting board. Scatter the mozzarella mixture on top. Cut the flatbread lengthwise, then into triangles. Serve immediately.

GRILLED FLATBREAD WITH RICOTTA CHEESE, FRESH TOMATOES, OREGANO AND ROASTED GARLIC OIL

Steps:

• Roasted Garlic Oil:
• Place oil and garlic in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain.
• Flatbread:
• Mix water and yeast in a large bowl and let stand 5 minutes to proof. Gradually pour in 2 cups of the flour and stir to incorporate. Mix for about 1 minute to form a sponge. Let stand, covered, for at least an hour.
• Put sponge in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook, add the salt and oil, then add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a dough. Remove from bowl and knead. Place in a clean oiled bowl and let rise, slowly, about 2 1/2 hours. Divide dough into 4 balls, if desired, let rise again for 1/2 hour, and then roll out as desired.
• Flatten flatbread dough, gently press into a large rectangle, brush liberally with olive oil, and throw on grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown. Spread 1 side with ricotta, sprinkle with salt and pepper, scatter tomatoes over, drizzle with Roasted Garlic Oil, and garnish with basil and more freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.
• Yield: 4 individual flatbreads or 1 large flatbread

ALMOST-FAMOUS TOMATO, BASIL AND MOZZARELLA FLATBREAD SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Make the flatbread: Stir the yeast, sugar and 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees F) in a bowl. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Whisk the flour and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil and mix with your hands into a smooth dough. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap; set aside in a warm place until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until slightly elastic, dusting with more flour if the dough is too sticky to handle, about 5 minutes. Return the dough to the bowl, cover and set aside again until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Brush 2 baking sheets with olive oil. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, dusting with more flour if needed. Cut the dough in half and form into 2 balls. Roll out each ball into a 12-by-3-inch rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick. Transfer each dough rectangle to one of the prepared baking sheets and let rest, uncovered, until a dry crust forms on top, 1 hour, 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, position racks in the middle and lower thirds of the oven. Place a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet on the bottom rack and preheat to 475 degrees F for at least 40 minutes.
• Press your fingertips through the dry crust on top of the dough to create a spotted pattern. Gently stretch each piece of dough into a 14-by-4-inch rectangle, then brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Put 1 baking sheet of dough on the pizza stone and bake until the bottom of the bread is golden brown, about 7 minutes. Transfer to the middle rack and continue baking until golden all over, about 5 more minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately brush the top of the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with salt; let cool on the baking sheet on a rack. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Make the dressing: Whisk the vinegar, mustard and dried basil in a bowl. Add the sugar and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.
• Assemble the sandwiches: Slice each flatbread in half horizontally and brush with the dressing. Top the bread bottoms with the tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves. Season with salt and pepper and cover with the bread tops. Cut into pieces.

BASIL BAKED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a small skillet, saute garlic in oil for 1 minute. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir until lightly browned. Remove from the heat., Cut tomatoes in half widthwise. Place cut side up in an 8-in. square baking dish. Sprinkle with basil and pepper; top with bread crumb mixture. Bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until tomatoes are slightly softened.