// Written by Francisca Gomez //
Photo credit: Francisca Gomez
Bruschetta is a great dish to make for company. It can get messy with its crunchy bread and loose toppings so make sure you cut the bread in small pieces. You can prepare a variety of toppings to please everyone. Here, I’ll show you three types: tomato-basil, sautéed mushrooms, and roasted peppers with garlic. Try experimenting with other vegetables as toppings or add cheese before putting the bread in the oven.
| Preheat | 400 degrees |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
Ingredients
1 large red bell pepper
1 clove of garlic
2 portobello mushrooms
1 large tomato
Basil leaves
Butter
Olive oil
1 loaf of bread (Italian bread or French baguette are the best)
Salt and pepper
Directions
1. Wash the tomato, bell pepper, mushrooms and basil leaves, and peel the garlic clove.
Photo Credit: Francisca Gomez
Tomato and Basil Topping
1. Dice the tomato.
2. Shred the basil leaves into smaller pieces.
Photo Credit: Francisca Gomez
3. Mix the tomato, basil leaves, salt, pepper and a spoonful of olive oil in a bowl.
Bell Pepper and Garlic Topping
1. Dice the red bell pepper.
2. Finely dice the garlic clove.
Photo Credit: Francisca Gomez
3. Cook the peppers and garlic in olive oil over medium heat in a pan. Add salt and pepper. Let it cook for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. The garlic should be brown, and the peppers soft and slightly charred.
Photo Credit: Francisca Gomez
Mushroom Topping
1. Dice the mushrooms.
2. Cook the mushrooms in a tablespoon of butter over medium heat in a pan. Add salt and pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mushrooms will be soft.
Photo Credit: Francisca Gomez
Bruschetta brea
1. Slice the bread into slices about 1/3 in. thick. Cut the slices in half if they are too big; they should ideally be eaten in three bites or less. (Tip: if you don’t have a good bread knife, most grocery stores and bakeries will slice the bread for you.)
Photo Credit: Francisca Gomez
2. Drizzle about a teaspoon of olive oil or spread a thin layer of butter over each slice of bread. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Photo Credit: Francisca Gomez
3. Broil the bread in the oven for 4-7 minutes, or bake for 10 minutes, with the temperature set to 400° Fahrenheit. The bread should be toasted, crunchy and golden.
4. Add toppings to taste, and eat straight out of the oven.
Photo Credit: Francisca Gomez
