With the Oscars coming tomorrow, I thought I’d whip up some appetizers to watch the red carpet arrivals. I watch the Oscars religiously every year. I love to see what the stars are wearing and critique there fashion choices.
I love to cheer on my favorite movies and actors, and try and watch the after parties as well. It’s like being transported into another world. A world of glamour, riches, Harry Winston jewelry, publicists and personal assistants. As I watch them stroll down the red carpet or walk up to get their award, I watch in awe and wonder why that isn’t me!
I mean really! What is so great about them?! Anyway, I was flipping through a cookbook that I got several years ago, Michael Chiarello’s
Bottega: Bold Italian Flavors from the Heart of California’s Wine Country
signed by Michael Chiarello.
This book has some amazing recipes and some that are surprisingly simple to make.
When I met him, he was so kind and down to earth. He asked me what kind of flavors I normally cook with, and I began to tell him that the way I cook is mostly family style, and that in my home everyday is Sunday. Meaning that everyday meals at my house is like a Sunday dinner at home. So when he signed my book, he put the inscription: “Everyday Being Sunday.”
This book has beautiful pictures of his restaurant, and gorgeous pictures of the food.
I have so many signed cookbooks from so many wonderful chefs and cooks, and this book by Michael Chiarello, is definitely one of my favorites!
When I first saw the bruschetta recipe, I just had to try it because my mouth began to water, and I never knew that bruschetta could be so easy.
I mean even the name – BRU-SCH-ETTA it sounds hard. It sounds like a difficult recipe to take on. And as I read the recipe, I knew I had to try this flavor. And it was wonderful! And I knew that this was the perfect appetizer for Oscar night!
I went ahead and made some bacon on the side and added it to the bruschetta to give it an extra depth of flavor, and to give it my own twist. This can be added to many different foods such as, baguettes, chicken, steak, pork chops, just to name a few.
This recipe is adaptable in so many ways, and other foods can be added to create something completely new.
Like adding Tuna instead of bacon, or adding yellow and red bell pepper, or chopped cucumber to the mix. Honestly the possibilities are endless, and delicious.
So without any further ado, please enjoy this recipe for Bacon Bruschetta with your family on Oscar night or any other night!
Recipe adapted from Michael Chiarello.
Ingredients
- 4 Tomatoes
- 2 Teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons chiffonade or chopped basil
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons Butter melted
- 8 Baguette slices
- 4-6 Slices of cooked, crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Begin by chopping tomatoes, and add them to a large bowl, set aside. In a small frying pan, add 1 tablespoons olive oil to get warm, then add minced garlic to pan and let get fragrant and a bit browned. About 30 seconds. Remove garlic from heat, and add to bowl of tomatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste, and add remaining olive oil. Add in chopped or crumbled bacon, and toss everything together, and set aside. In frying pan, toast baguette slices that have been brushed with melted butter, until browned on each side. About 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove baguette slices from pan, and assemble by placing 2 tablespoons of tomato mixture on each slice of bread. Serve immediately.
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