Ricks Basic Bruschetta Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare a medium-hot charcoal fire.
• Cut the middle portion of the round loaf into 6 long slices, each one almost an inch thick. Cut these slices in half, making half-slices that are roughly 3x3x1 inches.
• When fire is ready, place the 12 slices over it in a single layer. Cook, turning once, until the outsides of the bread are golden brown (with grill marks, if possible). This should take about 2 minutes per side-but check frequently to make sure the bread isn't burning.
• When the bread slices are done, rub the edges of each one, on both sides, with a cut clove of garlic-lightly or heavily, depending on your garlic preference. Place the slices on a large platter in a single layer. Sprinkle each slice with 2 teaspoons of olive oil, breaking the surface of the bread lightly with a spoon to let the oil soak in. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the slices over and repeat the procedure. Let the slices sit in the olive oil for 10-15 minutes. Serve as is for simple bruschetta.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix tomatoes, dried basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, seasoning salt and ground black pepper. Cover and chill in the refrigerator 8 hours, or overnight, before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Combine tomato, basil, and red onion in a small mixing bowl; stir well. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
• Arrange bread on a baking sheet. Place in oven, and bake until well toasted, approximately 5 minutes.
• Remove bread from oven, and transfer to a large serving platter. Let bread cool 3 to 5 minutes. Rub garlic into the top of each slice of toast; the toast should glisten with the garlic. Spoon the tomato mixture generously onto each slice, and serve.

Steps:

• 1. On a cutting board, finely chop the garlic and sprinkle the salt over it. Keep chopping and smashing the garlic and salt together to make a paste. Use a wide-bladed knife so you can smear the paste along its flat side. You can also do this with a mortar and pestle.
• 2. In a small bowl, mix the butter, lemon juice, and garlic paste. Fold the softened butter over and onto the garlic mixture, mashing it down with the back of a spoon or spatula. Season to taste with pepper and continue folding.
• 3. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on a work surface. Scrape the butter onto the plastic and use the plastic wrap to shape butter into a log, encased in the plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to use. If not using within 3 days, you can freeze the garlic butter for up to 2 months. Let the butter soften before using.
• 4. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• 5. Lay the bread on a baking sheet and brush both sides with garlic butter. Bake for 6 to 7 minutes, turning once, until golden brown but not too crispy. Let cool before using.
• Good Butter
• The difference between really good butter and all other butter lies with the butterfat content of the cream, which depends in large part on the cows and how the cream is handled before it is churned into butter. The best butter from Europe is made from raw or cultured cream and, particularly that made from raw cream, might not be imported to the United States. But never fear: At American companies such as the Vermont Butter & Cheese Company, the butter is made from high-grade cream (a high butterfat content) that is cultured and then churned. The butter is rich and flavorful and when it's salted, its salt content is significantly lower than typical salted butter. This is what I use in my crostini recipes, so depending on the salted butter you choose, you may not need to add any salt. As with all ingredients for these recipes, choose the best butter you can. It pays off in terms of taste.

Steps:

• Heat broiler.
• Place bread slices in single layer on baking sheet. Broil 2 min. on each side or until golden brown on both sides.
• Mix dressing and cheese until blended. Reserve 1/4 cup dressing mixture; brush remaining dressing mixture onto toast slices.
• Combine tomatoes, onions and reserved dressing mixture; spoon onto toast slices just before serving.

Steps:

• 1. Prepare gas or charcoal grill or preheat the broiler or a panini press. The heating elements or coals should be medium-hot.
• 2. Cut the slices in half and brush both sides with a generous amount of olive oil. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
• 3. Grill or broil the bread, turning once, until lightly browned on both sides.
• 4. Gently rub 1 side of the toasts with garlic, sprinkle with cheese, and serve.