Tomato And Mozzarella Bruschetta Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bruschetta Preparation: Place diced tomatoes on a VIVA® towel and salt. Let sit for 20 minutes. Remove to a bowl and mix together with mozzarella and vinegar. Season with salt to taste. Let stand at room temperature while toasting the bread. Place bread slices on a sheet tray in a single layer and bake until edges are golden, turning bread halfway through. Rub one side of toasted bread with raw garlic. To assemble, place a mound of tomato mixture onto slices and drizzle with basil oil. Serve immediately. Basil Oil Preparation: Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. Drop the basil leaves into the boiling water and submerge them for 5 seconds. Remove them to the ice bath using a spider or slotted spoon. Work quickly. You don't want the basil leaves in the boiling water for too long. Blanching the leaves and then shocking them in ice water will preserve the bright green color. Remove the basil from the water and squeeze dry using VIVA® towels. You want the basil as dry as possible. Remove basil to a blender with the oil. Puree until the mixture is well combined. Place a strainer inside a bowl. Dampen a VIVA® towel with water and line the towel inside the strainer. Pour the basil oil into the strainer. It takes awhile for the oil to strain through. You may need to squeeze it gently to help along the oil. Pour strained basil oil into the neck of a small cruet or a small sterilized jar. Cover the jar or cruet tightly and refrigerate. Use within four days.

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. In a large bowl combine tomatoes, onion, capers, basil and mozzarella. Stir in balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Top toasted bread with the mixture and place on baking sheet. Broil until cheese melts. Serve hot. Alternative: Substitute 1 cup canned northern white beans for cheese and just top toasts with mixture.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to broil.
• Brush olive oil on slices of bread and toast for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove toast and cool slightly. Using small butter knife, spread avocado, like butter, onto each bread slice. Season each slice with garlic salt and pepper.
• Cut tomato in half and slice down in 1/2 moon slices, 5 slices per half.
• Place on top of seasoned avocado bread slice.
• Cut fresh mozzarella the same way as tomato, yielding 20 slices. Place on top of tomato.
• Put under the broiler for an additional 3 minutes, until cheese in melted.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degreesF.
• Slice French bread or baguette into 1/2-inch slices.
• Brush both sides lightly with 2 T olive oil.
• Place on baking sheet.
• Sprinkle lightly with salt, if desired.
• Combine chopped tomatoes, Italian seasoning and crushed garlic.
• Set aside.
• Bake French bread slices in oven for 3 minutes.
• Turn each slice over and bake an additional 2 minutes.
• Remove from oven.
• Spread each slice with a tablespoon of the tomato mixture.
• Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
• Return to oven for 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• Serve immediately.