Zesty Italian Peasant Bread Appetizer Food

ITALIAN BREAD APPETIZER

Steps:

• In a small saucepan cook oil and garlic together over medium-low heat, stirring almost constantly, 2 to 3 minutes, until garlic is golden and fragrant. Discard garlic and set aside saucepan of garlic-flavored oil.
• On lightly floured surface stretch and roll dough into 12" square; place on lightly greased baking sheet and brush with reserved garlic-flavored oil. Sprinkle evenly with salami and cheese. Arrange roasted peppers and green onions down center of dough, leaving a 1" border at each end and a 3" border on each side.
• Use a knife or scissors to make eight 3" cuts into dough along both sides of the filling. Bring dough strips up across filling at an angle, alternating sides to give a braided effect. Pinch dough at bottom and top to seal in filling.
• Brush braid with egg mixture; sprinkle evenly with poppy seeds. Set aside to rise in a warm, draft-free location 30 to 45 minutes, until puffy. (If you're using wheat bread, rising time may be longer.).
• Heat oven to 350°F Bake 35 minutes or until golden. Immediately remove bread from baking sheet and cool 5 minutes on wire rack. Cut into 16 slices and serve warm or at room temperature.

ZESTY ITALIAN PEASANT BREAD APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place bread shell on lightly greased baking sheet.
• Mix together oil, garlic and pepper.
• Brush over bread shell.
• Sprinkle with tomato, cheese and snipped fresh or crushed dried herb.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or till warm and cheese softens "slightly".
• Cut bread into 12 wedges.
• If desired garnish with fresh herb sprigs.
• Serve hot.

GOAT CHEESE AND TART APPLE ON FRENCH BREAD APPETIZER

Steps:

• Cut the baguette in half lengthwise.
• Drizzle the cream onto both halves of the bread.
• Peel, core and thinly slice the apple.
• Spread the apple slices on the bread.
• Spread the goat cheese over the apple slices. (Depending on the age of the goat cheese, you may have better luck putting the cheese on in slices.).
• Sprinkle with pepper and Herbes de Provence.
• Bake in 350 oven for about 10 minutes, then broil until cheese browns slightly.
• Cut each half into about 12 pieces. (These can be assembled individually on precut bread slices if you prefer.).

MUSHROOM ON ITALIAN BREAD - APPETIZER

Steps:

• Fry the mushrooms and garlic in the butter.
• Add the cream and stir until thickened.
• Toast crusty Italian bread lightly.
• Rub with a garlic clove.
• Top with the mushroom sauce.