Best Bruschetta ... use those fresh tomatoes!

It's summertime.... so enjoy some delicious farm fresh tomatoes.

One of the best ways I know of is making homemade tomato bruschetta. I would say this is my husband's favourite appetizer I make, so let me share my recipe.

It starts with some fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and fresh garlic...

... and don't forget the delicious baguette cut into small little toasts.

Brush each piece of bread with some olive oil and bake them in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes, until they are slightly toasted, when they come out of the oven, rub a garlic clove over them.
Dice about 4 large tomatoes (deseeded), and about 2 tbsp of olive oil, 1 clove of garlic, about 6 leaves of chopped basil and salt and pepper to taste.

 Spoon the tomato mixture over the little toast, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake in the oven, just enough to warm it through and melt the cheese- 5-7 minutes.  Here's the plate I made for my family: some bruschetta, some plain toast for little Melanie and some plain bread with a side dish of Jamie Oliver's Olive Tapenade. Delicious!

Savory Italian Spicy Sausage and Mushroom Pasta Man Sauce

So you might be wondering, what did you serve at Brent's Birthday Dinner? Well, I would tell you I made him a 'Man Pasta Sauce'. He loves spicy sausage and mushroom (not me). So I decided to make him something uniquely for him.
HE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!
Said it was the best freakin' sauce he has ever had in his life!!!!!

Well, I would say it's a do over.

Here's the ingredients for you. Oh, and don't forget the red wine... so grown up!

Brown up the sausage, garlic, onions and mushroom. I decided to make a traditional sauce and this sauce. All the men chose this one and all the ladies chose the traditional sauce. Funny, eh!

Here's the final masterpiece. Really delicious for those who love those tastes and so delicious as a leftover too!

Savory Italian Sausage Sauce

(Adapted from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?recipeID=26247&origin=detail&servings=4&metric=false)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound Italian sausage

4 green onions, chopped

1 (8 ounce) package fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 tablespoon dried basil

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup red wine

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons white sugar

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute garlic until it browns. Place sausage in skillet with garlic. Cook until evenly brown, crumbling it as it cooks. 

2. Stir in mushrooms, basil and oregano; cook 5 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes and tomato paste. Then add water, red wine, red pepper flakes and sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 1 hour.

Delicious Homemade Meaty Spaghetti Sauce

I have asked many friends and family for their homemade spaghetti sauce and tested quite a few. Some good, some.... not so good. 

Well, I am pleased to let you know that I believe I have found the one!

This delicious sauce is full delicious, easy to find ingredients and it freezes amazingly! I doubled it and froze half.

Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef

(adapted from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Spaghetti-Sauce-with-Ground-Beef/)
 

Ingredients:

·         1 pound ground beef
·         1 onion, chopped
·         4 cloves garlic, minced
·         1 small green bell pepper, diced
·         1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
·         1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
·         1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
·         2 teaspoons dried oregano
·         2 teaspoons dried basil
·         1 teaspoon salt
·         1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, and green pepper in a large saucepan. Cook and stir until meat is brown and vegetables are tender. Drain grease.

Stir diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the pan. Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer spaghetti sauce for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Tasty Italian Treat

You thought... Gelato??? No, this is a nice and healthy treat. A lovely appetizer/salad/gourmet treat made in honour of the Italian Flag!

I call it the Tomato-Bocconcini-Basil Salad.

Here's what you'll need. About 3 or 4 gorgeous red, ripe tomatoes. Some fresh bocconcini cheese and some fresh basil. Some good extra virgin olive oil, some good balsamic vinegar and some salt and pepper to taste.

Slice your cheese, tomatoes and basil into delightful pieces. Arrange them as you wish on your serving plate. I made a pretty flower... see!

Then sprinkle the basil on top as well as the olive oil and vinegar, salt and pepper. And there you have it! A tasty Italian treat using the summer's best tomatoes!

The Best Homemade Bruschetta

I made this old recipe (which I hadn't done for about 10 years) and let me tell you....I think my husband fell in love with me all over again.

TA DA! The best homemade bruschetta in the world (according to Brent).

This is basically all you'll need: Tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic and baguette.

Here's the assembly.... just pre-toast the baguette, mix all the ingredients and place on the bread.

Sprinkle with parmesan and place in the oven on broil for a few minutes.

Here's the recipe for you... old fashioned and hand-written. Place the first 4 ingredients in a bowl. Cut 3/4 of a baguette on a diagonal and place in the oven to toast slightly. Rub with a glove of garlic when they come out. Brush the top of the bread with olive oil, then place the tomato mixture on top, sprinkle with the parmesan cheese and broil for a few minutes until the cheese becomes brown and melted.