Recipe Exchange

Katie from McDonnell Place wrote a post about doing a recipe exchange. And while I don't have many recipes that are that exciting or new, I was asked to post a Bruschetta recipe that has been floating around the family from my sister's boyfriends mom... How is that for confusing?? Before I post that though - here are two links to Katie's site that have listed a number of recipes that her friends/family have been giving to her. They all look really yummy and gives me great new things to make. Thanks Katie

http://www.mcdonnellplace.com/2009/11/okay.html

http://www.mcdonnellplace.com/2009/11/you-said-yes.html

So here is the recipe I promised. Ironically it's called

Savory Bruschetta

Ingredients:

Bread (pre cooking)

1 large French loaf

¼ cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 clove garlic (minced)

Tomato Mixture

6 – 8 Plum Tomatoes (seedless and chopped)

Red onion (1 cup)

3 cloves of garlic (minced)

2 teaspoons of Kosher salt

2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper

¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

25 fresh basil leaves- chopped

Cheese Mixture for bread (post cooking)

3 tablespoons parmesan cheese (grated)

8 oz cream cheese – softened

Pitted black olives – 2 tablespoons chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Cook bread slices for 8 – 10 minutes until crisp (or 6 minutes for less crispiness)

Cut 16 slices out of the bread (number may vary based on size of loaf you get or how thick you cut the pieces)

Brush with the mixture of:

1. ¼ cup of olive oil

2. One garlic cloves

Place on baking sheet and put into preheated oven

Tomato Mixture

**This can be premade in order to allow all the juices and flavors to mix together

Mix tomatoes, red onions, cloves of garlic, basil, salt and pepper in a glass bowl.

In a separate bowl mix ½ cup olive oil, balsamic vinegar, then pour over tomato mixture and toss

Chill until needed

Ready to Assemble

Drain tomato mixture through a strainer before serving – this will prevent the bread from getting soggy

Blend softened cheese, parmesan cheese, and olives. Then spread this over the freshly made toast.

Spoon tomato mixture over cream cheese and serve immediately. (Might want to spoon with a slotted spoon to help remove any extra juice that might have formed even after straining)