Bruschetta

I had a craving for bruschetta, so we grabbed the ingredients to make it today.  Really... basil, garlic and tomatoes are one of my most favourite flavour combos!  They're so perfect together.  I didn't realize we didn't have a recipe for bruschetta posted!  You don't really need a recipe for bruschetta, you can make it any way you please.  But if you need a base recipe, this is a great one.  It's how I make it!

Fast and easy and a great way to use up tomatoes if you're one of those lucky people with a garden!  Or if you've been gifted with a bagful from a friend that's lucky enough to have a garden.

I don't think we've had any Ten Foot Pole with our recipes.  You might have known them in their previous incarnation of Scared Straight.  We're getting our rock on with their "Final Hours".  -jen

BRUSCHETTA
Time:  15 minutes
Difficulty:  Easy
Makes:  about 12

• 1.5 pounds of tomatoes (about 4)
• 1/2 cup finely diced red onion (about 1/4 onion)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (2 large cloves)
• 1/4 cup julienned basil
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil plus extra
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 10 cranks of fresh ground blacked pepper
• dash of balsamic vinegar
• fresh mozzarella sliced thinly
• 1 baguette loaf

Julienned basil

Cut tomatoes into quarters and using your thumb, scoop out the seeds and juice.  (You can save this for a different recipe later or discard.)  Small dice remaining tomato meat.  In a mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar.  Toss and set aside.

Turn your oven onto broil.  Slice baguette on the bias to make large ovals.  Brush both sides with olive oil and place on a foil-lined baking sheet.  Toast one side under the broiler until golden brown, watching closely (it only takes 1-2 minutes to brown).  Flip and toast the second side until browned and remove.  Top toast with a slice of mozzarella and the tomato salad and serve.

Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Hummus

I was feeling like making a hummus lately and Justin had grabbed ingredients to make our Pasta Puttanesca tonight, so I swiped some of his sun dried tomatoes and basil for my hummus.  So good.  

David Bowie died yesterday.  He's all I've been playing today.  I can't bring myself to choose some punk rock tunes for this recipe.  -jen

SUN DRIED TOMATO AND BASIL HUMMUS
Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty:  Easy
Makes:  about 3 cups
Need:  Food Processor

• 1 can (15oz) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 medium clove fresh garlic (2 if you like garlic a lot, which we do)
• 4 whole sun dried tomatoes (packed in oil)
• 1 medium green onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• juice of 1/2 a medium lemon (about 1.5 tbsp)
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Combine garbanzo beans, garlic, sun dried tomatoes, green onion, salt, lemon, and sesame oil in your food processor.  Process until vegetables are chopped fine.  Add all remaining ingredients except the olive oil and turn processor to a medium.  While processing, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until a smooth dip (most processors have a lid where you can drizzle through the top while it's processing).

Serve with pita or tortilla chips, fresh vegetables, or use as a sandwich spread.