Bruschetta With Truffle Food

BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and stir, lightly frying for about a minute, removing before the garlic gets too brown (it can be golden). Pour the garlic and oil into a mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly.
• Add the red and yellow tomatoes, balsamic and basil to the bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine, and then taste and add more basil if needed, and more salt if needed (don't over salt, though!) Cover and refrigerate for an hour or two if you have the time.
• Cut the baguette into diagonal slices to allow for the most surface area possible. Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet and grill half the bread on both sides, making sure they're nice and buttery. Cook until golden brown on both sides. Repeat with the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and the other half of the bread.
• To serve, give the tomato mixture a final stir, and then spoon generously over the slices of bread. Serve on a big platter as a first course or appetizer.

TRUFFLED PARSNIP & PARMESAN BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Heat a griddle pan and toast the bread for about 2 mins on each side until golden and marked. Rub the cut side of the garlic clove over each piece.
• Heat the butter in a large frying pan. Add the parsnips, season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, then cook over a medium heat, shaking regularly until golden and softened, about 20 mins. Add a splash of water if you need to. Remove from the heat and whizz to a purée in a food processor with both of the oils. Season to taste. Set aside at room temperature if serving on the day. Can be chilled up to two days ahead.
• To serve, top the toasts with the truffled parsnip mix (it should be room temperature), scatter with rocket leaves and parmesan shavings, then drizzle with a little more olive oil or truffle oil.

MINI CHALLENGE: BRUSCHETTA WITH POACHED EGG, TRUFFLE OIL, AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat.
• Drizzle olive oil over one side of each bread slice. Grill the bread slices on both sides until well marked. Set each bread slice on a plate.
• Fill a medium size saute pan with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the vinegar and bring to a boil; lower the heat to a simmer.
• Meanwhile, in another medium saute pan over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Stir in the garlic and cook until just fragrant. Add the arugula and toss to wilt. Remove from heat. Place some arugula over each slice of bread.
• Crack 1 egg into a small bowl; then slowly slip it into the simmering water. Repeat with the rest of the eggs. Poach the eggs for about 3 minutes, until the whites have coagulated. One by one, remove the eggs from the water with a slotted spoon, resting the spoon on top of a towel to dry off the excess water.
• Place 1 egg on top of each bread slice. Spoon some of the gremolata on top of each egg and drizzle with some truffle oil. Sprinkle Parmesan evenly over each egg and serve immediately.
• A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.
• Chop the garlic and parsley and place in a small bowl. Add the zest and stir to combine.

CRUSHED WHITE BEAN BRUSCHETTA WITH WHITE TRUFFLE OIL

Steps:

• In a large pot, combine the broth, beans, garlic, and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the beans are tender, about 45 minutes.
• Season the beans, to taste, with salt and pepper. Cool in the liquid. Drain the beans, reserving the garlic cloves.
• Place the beans in a bowl and coarsely mash with a potato masher. Add 2 to 3 cloves of garlic and continue mashing. Mash in the olive oil, but keep the mixture fairly coarse. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the scallions and parsley. Spoon into a serving bowl and drizzle with white truffle oil. Serve with a basket of crisp toasts and the bottle of truffle oil, for more drizzling.