Winter Bruschetta Food

WINTER MINESTRONE AND GARLIC BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven. Add the pancetta and cook over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Add the onions, carrots, celery, squash, garlic, and thyme and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the tomatoes, 6 cups of the chicken stock, the bay leaf, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Discard the bay leaf. Add the beans and cooked pasta and heat through. The soup should be quite thick but if it's too thick, I add more chicken stock.
• Just before serving, reheat the soup, add the spinach, and toss with 2 big spoons (like tossing a salad). Cook just until the leaves are wilted. Stir in the white wine and pesto. Depending on the saltiness of the chicken stock, add another teaspoon or two of salt to taste. Serve large shallow bowls of soup with a bruschetta on top. Sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, drizzle with olive oil and serve hot.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice the baguette at a 45 degree angle in 1/2-inch-thick slices. Brush both sides of the bread with olive oil and bake for 6 minutes, until lightly toasted. Take the slices out of the oven and rub the surface of each one with the cut clove of garlic.

WINTER BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Cut bread into rounds and brush with olive oil; broil until light golden colour.
• Combine next six ingedients in a bowl
• Drop by teaspoonful onto bread rounds and broil again until bubbly and cheese is golden brown.
• *Notes: If you're a garlic fan, add 1/2 teaspoon more for a big bang of flavour. Also, try changing the type of bread -- maybe a multi-grain or rye!

THE REAL ITALIAN BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• chop roma tomatoes, red onion, and garlic put into medium sized bowl, set aside in food processor chop the basil until very fine, add to tomato mixture.
• add red wine vinegar and oil, and salt/pepper and mix well.
• let sit.
• meanwhile grill/ or broil bread until just toasted.
• serve and watch the eyes of your guests get dreamy over the unique taste of this great dish.

BEST EVER BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, add the tomatoes, garlic, basil, vinegar, olive oil, cheese, salt and pepper.
• Mix thoroughly and let sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature to let the flavors marinate.
• Slice the bread into individual pieces and spoon the mixture on top.

EASY COLD APPETIZER BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat broiler on low. On a non-stick cookie sheet, arrange 25 slices of cocktail sourdough bread squares and brush one side lightly with extra virgin olive oil. Toast under broiler for approximately 3 minutes each side or until toasted lightly. Transfer toasts to serving plate.
• In a medium bowl, gently toss together the tomatoes, onions, garlic, capers and olives. In a separate bowl whisk together 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, the 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and the oregano.
• May refridgerate two mixtures until ready to serve. When ready to serve, pour oil/vinegar mixture over tomato mixture and toss together gently. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Serve cold in a bowl alongside the cocktail toasts and a small bowl of freshly grated parmesan cheese for topping.