bruschetta

I had this dish as an appetizer recently at a restaurant and I thought it was such a great combination of flavors and textures. I couldn't wait to re-create it, and boy, was it easy. I love recipes that call for just a few ingredients that really let the ingredients and their natural flavors stand out. What makes this appetizer so great is the complementary textures: creamy, salty burrata with curly kale that has been freshly sautéed in a little bit of olive oil, and the crunch of the toasted, garlic-rubbed bread. These appetizers will bring any one who is unconvinced about kale into the light. What's even better about this recipe is that it literally takes 10 to 15 minutes to put together.

Want the recipe? Keep reading.

Both bruschetta and crostini are Italian terms that relate to crispy bread. But what's the difference between the two of them?

Crostini translates to "little toasts" and generally refers to small pieces of bread that are baked. These toasts are then topped with a variety of ingredients like cheese, vegetables, meat, or seafood.

Bruschetta, on the other hand, is a larger piece of bread that is cooked over coals or a grill. Bruschetta can be rubbed with garlic and is traditionally served freshly charred. Like crostini, bruschetta can be topped with a wide range of items. What do you like to top yours with?

Photo by flickr user Jeffrey Beall

There are certain dishes that I'm obsessed with. Among them are shrimp appetizers and crostini, so imagine my delight when I came across Giada de Laurentiis's recipe for a shrimp crostini appetizer! The most important part of this dish is the bread; select a loaf that's sturdy and can hold the gooey thick topping. It's a mixture of plump pink shrimp, vibrant peppery arugula, and juicy fresh tomatoes. There's a slight creaminess thanks to the addition of mascarpone cheese that also provides a great richness. These finger-licking good hors d'oeuvres are excellent with a glass of crisp white wine. Ready for the recipe? Read more.

When I was new to the kitchen, one of my favorite dishes to make (and eat) was classic tomato bruschetta. Now that I come to think of it, tomato bruschetta is where my love affair with all things crostini started! Since it's nice to get back to our roots every now and then, for a recent party, I whipped up a sensational batch of bruschetta.

Although the recipe calls for roma tomatoes, the heirloom varieties were too pretty for me to pass up. That's what I love about this recipe, it's more of a suggestion than something set in stone.

Select the tomatoes and herbs you want to use. If you feel like adding in a layer of fresh mozzarella cheese between the toasts and tomatoes, do it. Want to stir crumbled feta in with the tomatoes? Why not? Just be sure to enjoy while the tomatoes are at their peak season, now! Here's the recipe.

Check out this recipe for bruschetta with tomato and broccolini that FitSugar reader Crystalinsf shared in our Healthy Recipe Group.

Attention all vegans and/or non vegans!

I put together my tasty tomato bruschetta recipe last night! Since I've mastered this version (if I do say so myself) I wanted to try a new recipe. I had the most amazing, spicy, tender, broccolini bruschetta at Delarosa, so I thought I would give this alternative a try. I found this simple recipe here . . . let's just say, both versions were absolutely delish and did not disappoint! Not only vegan friendly, but definitely super healthy!

For the recipe, keep reading.

YumSugar member tsharp25 is really loving burrata cheese right now, and shares one of her favorite ways to enjoy it in our Kitchen Goddess cooking group.

When I ran across a photo of a burrata and honey bruschetta, I just had to have it! At the time, I had never heard of burrata cheese, which is similar to a soft mozzarella with a super creamy center. Now, I see it on menus everywhere — from pizzas to appetizers. It has a mild flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet honey and citrus-infused olive oil. And don't forget the bread! I used a chewy and crunchy baguette from Trader Joe's, and it made a world of difference. If you want the cheese melted, either top the slices with it while still on the grill, or put the finished crostinis in a warm oven. Be sure to make enough, because it's addicting!

Her seasonal snack idea, after the jump.

Father's Day is this Sunday, and I plan to celebrate with my dad by cooking a meal that's entirely grilled! It's full of my dad's favorite foods. We'll start with raw oysters and grilled cheddar toasts with red onions and peppers. For the main course, we'll move onto a huge chunk of grilled meat — specifically a whole beef tenderloin that's sliced and served with an herby chimichurri sauce.

On the side, I'll offer classic corn on the cob and a grilled tomato and broccoli rabe salad with breadcrumbs. If you think your father will enjoy these dishes, get the recipes now.

Now that the weather has turned warm, and it's officially grilling season, there is one dish that is permanently on my menus: grilled bread. It's easy, delicious, and tastes so much better than regular crostini. Cooking the bread on the grill imparts a wonderful smokiness, a delectable char, and an addictive crunch.

The bread can be served on its own as an accompaniment to meat or vegetables. Or turn it into bruschetta and serve as an appetizer. Rub with garlic and top with tomatoes and basil; slather with pureed white beans; or top with goat cheese and roasted strawberries. The topping variations for grilled bread are endless, so get creative! To look at my easy recipe, read more

Last year San Francisco hosted its inaugural food festival SF Chefs.Food.Wine in August. In preparation for the event in May, many of the city's restaurants participated in something called Strawberry Week. Each chef selected a special strawberry dish and put it on the menu. The recipes were complied in a booklet that was handed out at SF.Chefs.Food.Wine. Since strawberry season was over in August, I only recently pulled the booklet out of my recipe file. It's full of wonderful recipes, including this savory application for roasted strawberry bruschetta. The strawberries are cooked with balsamic vinaigrette until soft and syrupy. Crusty toasted bread is slathered with goat cheese before being topped with the strawberry mixture. A sprinkling of arugula finishes off the easy and elegant appetizer. It's an incredibly delicious dish that you really should make. To get the recipe, please read more

Selecting a menu for a large dinner party is tricky. You don't want to choose dishes that require last-minute preparation, and you need to pick recipes that will feed a crowd (or can easily be doubled to do so) and consider the dietary needs of your guests. Luckily, the majority of my friends are adventurous eaters and while two girls don't eat meat, they do eat fish and cheese. Thus I'm serving a rustic Italian meal that's several courses long. When the party begins, plates of tomato and basil bruschetta and chicken-liver crostini will sit — ready to be devoured — on tables in the patio. I'll also set out an assortment of Italian olives, shards of Parmesan cheese, and chunks of salami.

At the table, the first course will consist of a crunchy, Italian salad with mustard vinaigrette. The second course is a decadent baked pasta dish oozing with melted cheese. For the entree, we'll enjoy a fragrant seafood stew with garlic toasts for dipping. This is a luxurious menu that's wonderful at any occasion, be it a birthday party or simply a Saturday night, so check out the recipes and read more