Barefoot Contessa Bruschetta Tomatoes Basil Recipes

BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice the baguette at an angle 1/2-inch-thick. Brush both sides of the bread with olive oil and sprinkle one side with salt and pepper. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly toasted.

TOMATO CROSTINI WITH WHIPPED FETA

Steps:

• For the whipped feta, place the feta and cream cheese in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse until the cheeses are mixed. Add 1/3 cup of the olive oil, the lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and process until smooth.
• For the tomatoes, up to an hour before you're serving, combine the shallots, garlic, and vinegar in a medium bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the tomatoes, stir gently, and set aside for 10 minutes. Stir in the basil and taste for seasonings.
• To assemble the crostini, spread each slice of bread with a generous amount of whipped feta. With a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes on top. Put the crostini on plates and scatter with the pine nuts. Sprinkle with extra basil and serve.

BRUSCHETTA WITH TOMATO AND BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat broiler to high, (if you prefer you can also grill the bread). Place bread slices on a broiler pan. Char bread on each side under hot broiler, keep an eye on it! Rub toasts with cracked garlic and drizzle with oil. Chop seeded tomatoes and place in a small bowl. Pile basil leaves on top of one another and roll into a log. Thinly slice basil into green confetti and loosely combine with tomatoes. Add a drizzle of oil and a little coarse salt to the bowl and gently toss tomatoes and basil to coat. Pile toasts around the bowl of topping. Place a spoon to scoop topping in bowl and serve.

TOMATO AND BASIL BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Whisk together chopped garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper, and basil.
• When combined slowly drizzle in oil.
• Add tomatoes and let sit for 20 minutes at room temp.
• Meanwhile back at the bat cave, toast the bread.
• This can be done either in the toaster (if it's got really wide slots) or under the broiler (if using this method watch closely so it doesn't become a brickette).
• When the bread is toasted rub each piece, on one side, with the whole garlic pieces.
• Place the bread on a cookie sheet and top with tomato mixture.
• Sprinkle on a little cheese and broil till the cheese melts (you can skip that last broiling bit and it's equally as wonderful).
• Serve immediately.
• The tomato mixture also makes a wonderful vinegrette for an antipasto salad.
• Enjoy!