Bruschetta

My basil plant is on it way out due to my lack of attention (what can I say-three kids, new business, etc). Before it completely dies I decided to use the last few leaves to make bruchetta.

Sometimes the best foods are the simplest ones.Take bruschetta, for example. Bread, oil, tomatoes garlic, basil and a little salt. But with anything, it's a lot on how you cook it.
I've made bruschetta by toasting the bread in the oven. Still good, but dry. This way of toasting it by pan-frying the baguette slices is awesome! It toasts the bread so that it is a little crispy, while still keeping it soft inside.

I seriously can eat just this for a quick meal on a Saturday night and be completely happy. But it also makes a great party dish or an appetizer when friends come to dinner.
With all the Christmas parties coming around, you may just want to make this sooner rather later. You'll be color coordinated for Christmas! Make sure to top the bread with the tomatoes at the last minute so that the baguette slices don't get soggy.


Ingredients:
1 baguette cut into 1/2 inch slices
olive oil
3 tomatoes
4 garlic cloves
15-20 basil leaves
salt to taste

Directions:

Gather ingredients

Chop basil.

Dice tomatoes and place in bowl.

Add chopped basil,

Add garlic,

and salt

Mix well and set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium/high heat. Add a few tablespoons of oil.

When oil is hot, place baguette slices in the skillet. Cook for 30-60 seconds until golden brown.

Turn over and cook on the other side until golden.

Enjoy!

How to make a Panini without a Panini Press

My husband makes fun of me because when we go out on a casual date to grab lunch, I always want to go grab a good sandwich. Maybe it's because I have love affair with good bread.
One sandwich I absolutely love is a panini. I mean, what's not to love, right? Crusty, chewy ciabatta bread, melted cheese; and if you make it at home, you can have whatever fillings you want.
I like to make my own ciabatta, so I can't really recommend anywhere that has superior ciabatta bread, but I do know that City Shop has them.
For this panini I cut up a chicken breast really thinly and sauteed it on the stove with just a bit of oil. If you are lucky enough to have roast turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving (and I do!) then your sandwich would really rock!
Here is how to make a panini without a panini press.

Ingredients:
Ciabatta roll
Filling of choice: I used basil mayonnaise, chicken breast, tomatoes, caramelized onions, and two layers of mozzarella cheese.

Directions:
Layer filling on your sandwich. I used basil mayonnaise to add some amazing pesto-like flavor to my panini.

I like to put two layers of cheese. #1 layer of cheese is under the tomatoes.

Caramelized onions

#2 layer of cheese.
Cover with other half of the ciabatta roll.









Once your panini is assembled, place on a preheated  skillet. Make sure the stove is set to medium.

Place a heavy pan or stockpot over your panini. Place a heavy can or glass jar in the pot so that it is weighted down.

Let it cook for 5 minutes. Flip the panini over and replace the weighted pot back on the panini.



Cook for another 4-5 minutes until the cheese is completely melted.





Enjoy your panini while hot!