Cheesy Bacon Butternut Squash Bruschetta Food

HUNGRY GIRL'S RANCH-TASTIC BUTTERNUT SQUASH FRIES WITH BACON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• In a small bowl, combine sour cream with ranch mix and stir thoroughly. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Slice ends off squash, and then cut it in half widthwise. Peel squash carefully with a vegetable peeler or knife. Cut the round bottom piece in half lengthwise and remove seeds.
• Using a crinkle cutter or knife, carefully cut squash into spears/French-fry shapes. (For exact nutritionals, weigh spears and use 20 oz.) Pat firmly with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Sprinkle evenly with salt.
• Lay spears on a layer of paper towels, and let stand for at least 5 minutes, to allow salt to draw out excess moisture. Pat with paper towels.
• Spray a broiler pan, a baking rack placed over a baking sheet, or a baking sheet with nonstick spray, and lay spears flat on it. (Use two pieces of bakeware, if needed.).
• Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Carefully flip fries, and bake for about 20 minutes longer, until tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
• Meanwhile, bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat on the stove. Cook bacon until crispy, and set aside to cool. Then cut each slice in half widthwise, and cut each half into very thin strips lengthwise.
• Mix bacon strips with fries and drizzle or serve with ranch mixture. If you like, sprinkle with scallions, as well. Eat up!

BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Combine the tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and chopped basil.
• Sprinkle with a pinch of salt set aside.
• Toast the bread on one side.
• Rub the toasted side with the peeled clove of garlic.
• Top the same side with tomato mixture and garnish with the extra chopped basil.
• Serve immediately.

CHEESY BACON BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Heat broiler.
• Cook and stir bacon in skillet on medium heat 12 min. or until browned. Remove from skillet with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.
• Spread bread with mayo. Broil, 4 inches from heat, 1 to 2 min. or until toasted; rub with garlic.
• Cover toast slices with 4 cheese pieces, bacon and tomatoes. Top with remaining cheese pieces; broil 1 min. or until melted.

EASY CHEESY BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, olive oil, oregano, basil and parsley. Place bread on a baking sheet and top with tomato mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
• Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until bottom of bread has browned.
• Allow to cool about 5 minutes before serving.

CHEESY BACON SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Halve squash lengthwise; discard seeds. Place squash on a microwave-safe plate, cut side down; microwave on high until tender, 15-20 minutes. Cool slightly. Separate strands with a fork., In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon to paper towels; reserve drippings., In same pan, heat drippings over medium heat; stir in butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper until blended. Add squash; toss and heat through. Remove from heat; stir in cheese. Top with bacon.

GRILLED SUMMER SQUASH BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Line baking sheet with foil; arrange zucchini and squash in a single layer and brush with dressing.
• Broil 4 inches from heat, turning after 4-5 minutes and brushing with dressing after turning, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes.
• Place bread on baking sheet and broil until toasted on both sides.
• Arrange arugula on toasts; brush with dressing.
• Top with alternating slices of both kinds of squash and the cheese.