Smoky Caprese Bread Bowl Recipes

BARLEY BISTRO BOWL

Steps:

• Make the barley: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the barley, and cook until tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Drain well, transfer to a medium bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of the butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve warm or at room temperature. (The barley can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead. Microwave just enough to take the chill off, about 2 minutes, stirring about halfway through.)
• Make the tomato-pepper sauce: While the barley cooks, blend the tomatoes, peppers, mayonnaise, tarragon, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender until creamy and smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use. (The sauce can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead.)
• Make the bacon and breadcrumbs: Put the bacon in a large nonstick skillet, and set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat, and transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings, and return the skillet to medium-high heat. Add the breadcrumbs, and stir constantly until golden and crunchy, about 2 minutes. Transfer the breadcrumbs to a small bowl.
• Fry the eggs: Wipe out the skillet, and melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter begins to foam, crack all 4 eggs into the skillet, and sprinkle each with some salt. Cook the eggs until the whites have set and the yolks are still runny, about 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.
• Build the bowls: Divide the barley evenly among 4 bowls. Top each with neat rows or piles of bacon, frisee, goat cheese, olives and sauce (leave room for the egg). Top each with an egg, some sauce and a sprinkling of toasted breadcrumbs.

CAPRESE GRILLED BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for low heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Drizzle olive oil over baguette halves. Add minced garlic and season with salt and pepper. Layer tomato on top; season tomato with salt, pepper, dried parsley, and dried basil. Top tomato with mozzarella cheese.
• Place baguette halves on foil and grill until cheese starts to melt, 5 to 8 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil and parsley. Cut into slices and serve.

PANZANELLA BREAD BOWL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Hollow out the center of the ciabatta loaf to form a rectangular "bowl"; set aside. Cut the removed bread into 1-inch cubes; spread 2 cups of the bread on a rimmed baking sheet (reserve the rest for another use). Bake the bread cubes until lightly toasted, 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool.
• Combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, roasted red peppers, salami, prosciutto, soppressata, cheese and toasted bread cubes in a large bowl. Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, the oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and

SMOKY CAPRESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• If your ciabatta rolls are very bready, pick out a little of the crumb. Put the rolls on a baking pan and bake until warm and crisp on the outside, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a small grill pan or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Toss the red onion in 1 tablespoon of the oil and sprinkle with a little salt, then grill, turning occasionally, until slightly softened and charred in spots, about 6 minutes.
• Stir together the basil, smoked almonds, crushed red pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl.
• Arrange the bottom halves of the ciabatta rolls on a work surface. Drizzle with a little olive oil, then arrange the tomatoes on top; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Next, top evenly with the onions, followed by the almond mixture. Lay the mozzarella on top; sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with a little more olive oil. Top with the arugula and serve immediately.