Peschetta A Simple But Tasty Appetizer Food

BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• For tomato mixture: Heat olive oil in a small skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and saute until just starting to turn golden (don't brown it), about 1 minute.
• Pour into a large mixing bowl. Let cool while you chop the tomatoes and basil.
• Pour tomatoes into bowl with cooled oil mixture. Add parmesan, basil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss mixture well. Serve right away over toasted bread (spoon some of the juices along with it). Garnish with more parmesan if desired.
• To toast bread*: position oven rack a few inches below broil and preheat broiler. Align bread slices on an 18 by 13-inch baking sheet. Broil first side until golden brown, about 1 minute (don't walk away and keep and eye on them they'll brown quickly), then flip slices to opposite side and broil opposite side until golden brown.

PESTO BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine ingredients for the bruschetta in a medium size and set it aside while you make the pesto and the crostini. Bruschetta can sit out for up to 1 hour without needed refrigeration.
• Arrange the bread side by side on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Brush each side with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt.
• Bake for 7-10 minutes, flipping it over halfway through. You want the crostini to be crispy but not so hard you can't easily bite into it.
• While the crostini is cooling, make the pesto. To a food processor or blender add fresh basil, parmesan cheese, sunflower seeds, garlic and lemon juice. Turn to low and drizzle in olive oil to emulsify. Once all the olive oil is added, continue to blend for about a minute or until pesto is smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl at least once to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed in. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.
• Assembly: Top each piece of crostini with a smear of pesto and a spoonful of the bruschetta. Sprinkle grated parmesan or fresh basil on top if desired.

PESCHETTA: A SIMPLE BUT TASTY APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to "low" broil.
• Take an 8x11 cookie tray and spray "lightly" with olive oil no stick spray.
• Slice the baguette into 1/2 inch slices and spread out to cover the tray.
• Slice cherry tomatoes in half.
• Note: the next two steps must be watched carefully to avoid a burnt app.
• Drizzle a "small" amount of extra virgin olive oil over the slices and pop in the oven until "lightly" browned. Here you can add a bit of minced garlic to taste.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle a small amount of mozzarella on each. Pop back in oven until cheese is "barely" melted.
• Remove from oven and put a dollop of pesto topped with a half cherry tomato on each slice. Serve and get ready to make more.

PEAS AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat; cook and stir pancetta and onion in the hot oil until pancetta is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir peas, white wine, thyme, salt, and pepper into pancetta mixture; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until peas are tender and liquid is slightly reduced, 3 to 5 minutes.