Fiery Summer Bruschetta With Zesty Olive Spread And Spicy Candied Bacon Food

BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic freezer bag, one at a time. Lightly pound chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 3/4-inch. Combine oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, Italian herb seasoning, salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk until combined. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken, reseal bag, and set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes. (Chicken and marinade can be prepared ahead; covered and refrigerated overnight.)
• Preheat grill to medium heat or about 350 degrees F. Combine remaining marinade with diced tomatoes and red onion; set aside. Transfer chicken from marinade onto grill surface and discard marinade. Grill chicken for 4 to 6 minutes per side or until cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a serving plate and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Spoon bruschetta mixture over chicken and top with basil; serve immediately.

CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Set a wire rack over a baking sheet.
• Spread the brown sugar on a plate. Coat the bacon on both sides of with the brown sugar, pressing to adhere. Lay the slices on the rack.
• Bake until dark brown and almost completely crisp (the bacon will continue to crisp as it cools), 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to cool. Crumble or chop before using.

FIERY SUMMER BRUSCHETTA WITH ZESTY OLIVE SPREAD AND SPICY CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• For the bacon:
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Put a baking rack over a parchment paper lined tray and arrange the bacon slices across the rack - do not overlap. In small bowl combine the syrup and cayenne and brush the bacon generously with the mixture. Put in the oven and bake until cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.
• For the Summer Salad:
• In a large bowl, add the vinegar, honey, Dijon and lime zest and juice and whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to make a dressing. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside until ready to use.
• For the bruschetta:
• In large saute pan, add the olive oil, cayenne and garlic. When the garlic has browned, remove it and discard. Add the bread slices, in batches if necessary, and cook until browned on both sides. You may need to add more olive oil to the pan if the bread soaks up too much. Remove to sheet tray and set aside until ready to plate the dish.
• For the Zesty Olive Spread:
• Add all the ingredients to a food processor and pulse until pureed and smooth. Check for seasoning and set aside until ready to use.
• Assembly:
• Put 2 pieces of bread on each plate. Spread the zesty olive spread on top of the bread. Lay 1 piece of bacon on each bread slice and top with the summer salad. Repeat with remaining bread and toppings.

SPICY BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Cut french bread into thin slices (
• Cut tomatoes into thin slices and set aside.
• Keeping separated finely chop shallot, green onion, celery, cilantro, parsley, basil and oregano.
• In a pan, using 2 oz olive oil sauté until soft (3-5 min): shallot, 3 tbls green onion, celery, parsley, basil,1 1/2 tbls cilantro, 1 tbls pressed garlic.
• In a bowl mix together all cheeses (may have to microwave cheese 30 sec), cooled down sautéed ingredients from pan, garlic powder white pepper and cayenne pepper, best if refrigerated a few hours before spreading.
• Put butter remaining olive oil and remaining garlic in a cup and melt down in a microwave.
• Spread sliced bread on large cookie sheet.
• Stir butter and generously brush it on one side of each piece of bread.
• Put bread in broiler until lightly toasted.
• Spread cheese mixture on cooled down bread.
• Place sliced olives (2-3) on each piece.
• Top with 2 or 3 slices of tomato.
• Mix remaining cilantro and green onion and sprinkle over each slice.
• You may have to chop some more cilantro and green onion for this.
• Remember cilantro has a very powerful taste so use sparingly.
• You can serve cold or put in oven at 350 for 5-8 minutes not allowing cheese to run.

CANDIED WALNUT BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice baguette into 1/2" slices and lightly coat each side with olive oil. Place on baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden.
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill a mixing bowl with brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg whites until frothy. Add in walnuts and toss to coat. Transfer walnuts to sugar bowl and stir to coat walnuts with mixture. Spread evenly on baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes (tossing halfway).
• Top each bruschetta with goat cheese, thinly sliced pear, and a sprinkling of the candied walnuts.
• You may find yourself with extra walnuts, but that's never a bad problem to have!

CHEESY BRUSCHETTA SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, pesto, salt and pepper until combined. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. slow cooker. Top with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Cook, covered, on low until heated though and cheese begins to melt, 1-1/2-2 hours. If desired, sprinkle with basil. Serve with toasted bread.