Basic Bruschetta

8 large slices country-style Tuscan or French bread
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Toast, broil or grill bread. Rub grilled bread with garlic, drizzle with olive oil and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serves 4.

Roasted Red Pepper, Feta & Olive Bruschetta

1 cup roasted red peppers, coarsely chopped
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
½ tsp crumbled dried oregano
1 green onion, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Basic Bruschetta

Combine all topping ingredients in a bowl. Pile onto Basic Bruschetta and bake at 425 F for about 10 minutes or until heated through and feta cheese is softened. Cut into 2-inch pieces. Serves 4.

Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Bruschetta

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 onions, thinly sliced
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
5 oz. goat cheese, with or without herbs
2 Tbsp pine nuts
Basic Bruschetta

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown, about 30 minutes. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt and cook for 5 minutes, until liquid has almost completely evaporated. Onions can be prepared up to a day ahead and refrigerated until just before you’re ready to prepare the bruschetta.

Arrange a layer of caramelized onions on Basic Bruschetta, top with crumbled goat cheese and pine nuts. Bake at 425 F for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and cheese has begun to melt. Cut into 2-inch pieces and serve. Serves 4.

Peppered Steak & Frizzled Onion with Parmesan Bruschetta

1 Tbsp cracked peppercorns
1 Tbsp coarse salt
8 oz. strip loin steak, trimmed of fat
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, sliced into rings
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Basic Bruschetta

In small dish, mix together pepper and salt. Coat both sides of steak with mixture, using full amount to form a heavy crust on the meat. Preheat a heavy griddle or grill pan over medium-high heat and grease it very lightly with olive oil. When pan is hot enough that a drop of water sizzles, immediately place steak on pan and cook, without disturbing, about 5 minutes on each side for medium rare. Remove steak to a cutting board and let rest.

Add onion to pan and cook, stirring, just until wilted and browned. When onion is done, slice steak very thinly against the grain. Arrange steak slices along the length of freshly toasted bruschetta, top with frizzled onion and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese. Serves 4.

Shrimp & Sausage with Asiago Cheese Bruschetta

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
½ medium onion, chopped
½ medium green pepper, chopped
½ lb. Italian hot or sweet sausage, casing removed
½ lb. raw shrimp, peeled and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup coarsely grated Asiago cheese
Basic Bruschetta

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and green pepper and cook, stirring, until onion is wilted about 3 minutes. Add sausage meat and cook, stirring to break up lumps until no longer raw, about 5 minutes. Add chopped shrimp and garlic, cooking just until shrimp turns pink. Remove from heat and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary.

Preheat broiler. Place Basic Bruschetta slices on a baking sheet. Top with shrimp and sausage mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil just until cheese melts (3-4 minutes). Do not let brown. Remove from oven, cut into 2-inch pieces and serve hot. Serves 4.