Tomato Crostini Garlicbasil Butter Food

CROSTINI WITH ROASTED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F degrees. Place the tomatoes in a shallow baking dish, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and thyme; toss to combine.
• Adjust the tomatoes so they are cut side up, and roast until the tomatoes soften and slightly shrink, about 40-45 minutes.
• Place the baguette slices on a wired baking sheet, brush with olive oil, sprinkle salt and pepper, and bake in the oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Rub the crostini with garlic and then divide the goat cheese between the crostini. Top with one slice of roasted tomato, drizzling any extra juice over the top. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve immediately.

TOMATO BASIL BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven (or a gas grill*) to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up, if desired. If your baking sheet is smaller than mine, you may need to make the toast in two batches.
• Dice your tomatoes and transfer them to a medium mixing bowl, leaving the tomato seeds and juice behind on the cutting board. Stir the salt into the tomatoes, and add the onion, basil and garlic as they are ready. Stir to combine and set the mixture aside to marinate while you work on the bread.
• Slice your baguette on the diagonal into pieces no wider than 1/2-inch (see photos). I can usually fit 20 to 24 slices on my large baking sheet; you might have some bread left over. Lightly brush both sides of each slice with olive oil (this will require about 2 to 3 tablespoons oil).
• Place the slices in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet and bake them on the middle rack for 6 to 9 minutes, until they're crisp and nicely golden on top. Transfer the toasts to a serving platter(s), if desired, and set aside.
• When you're ready to serve, carefully drain off the excess tomato juice that has accumulated in the bowl, using your hand as a stopgap. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir to combine, and season the mixture with additional salt, to taste (I usually add another 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon). If you don't feel like your bruschetta is garlicky enough (I like mine lightly but not overwhelmingly garlicky), add another pressed clove of garlic.
• Top each toast with tomato mixture, tipping your spoon against the bowl to release excess juice as necessary. Lightly drizzle a couple of tablespoons of thick balsamic vinegar on top, and sprinkle lightly with flaky salt if you have any. Bruschetta is best served promptly.

TOMATO CROSTINI - GARLIC/BASIL BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine the soft butter, chopped garlic, chopped basil, salt and pepper.
• Lay the piece of plastic wrap flat on your counter or cutting board.
• Spoon the butter mixture in a line down the middle of the plastic wrap.
• Wrap the butter with the plastic wrap and form into a log/sausage shape.
• Tightly wrap, twist and seal the ends of the plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.
• To serve, remove plastic wrap and slice into butter rounds.
• Slice the baguette and brush slices with olive oil (both sides).
• Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Remove crostini from oven.
• Spread compound butter on the crostini and top with a slice of tomato.
• Return to the oven for 5 minutes.
• Remove from oven and top with a round of compound butter. Serve immediately.

TOMATO BASIL CROSTINI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Place bread on ungreased cookie sheet. Brush 2 tablespoons of the oil on bread. Bake 4 to 5 minutes or until light golden brown.
• Mix tomatoes, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, the garlic, cheese, basil and salt. Place about 1 tablespoon tomato mixture on each warm bread slice.

TOMATO-BUTTER PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, using the large holes of a box grater, grate the cut ends of the tomato into a large bowl. Discard or compost skins. Grate the butter into the bowl as well. Using the small holes of the box grater, grate the garlic into the bowl. Add the red-pepper flakes, and season generously with salt. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Return the drained pasta to the pot, along with the bowl of grated tomato and butter. Set over medium-high heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly and glosses the pasta, 2 to 3 minutes (the sauce will thicken as it sits). Add pasta water as needed to emulsify the sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with more red-pepper flakes, black pepper, basil and Parmesan as desired.

TOMATO-BASIL CROSTINI

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine tomatoes, basil leaves, olive oil, and red-wine vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Top crostini with topping.

GARLIC BUTTER PARMESAN CROSTINI

Steps:

• Set oven to 250 degrees.
• Prepare a large baking sheet/s.
• Arrange the slices on the baking sheet.
• In a bowl combine the melted butter with minced garlic.
• Drizzle or brush the melted butter/garlic mixture over the top of the bread slices, then sprinkle lightly with kosher salt and black pepper.
• Bake for about 15 minutes, remove from oven, turn over the slices and brush again with butter, then kosher salt and pepper; return to oven and continue baking for 1 hour or until golden brown, turning every 15 minutes.
• Immediately after the slices are finished baking, sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese.
• Store any leftovers in the fridge.