bruschetta

While many people celebrate Easter over brunch, my family gathers together for a late lunch/early dinner. Since both Spring and Easter are about rebirth, serve a menu that highlights seasonal ingredients. Start with smashed peas and mint on crisp bruschetta. For the entree, offer guests a juicy leg of lamb roasted with garlic and rosemary and topped with a red wine reduction.

Traditional steamed artichokes get a modern makeover when paired with a quick tarragon mayonnaise. Luxuriously creamy scalloped potatoes with Parmesan cheese and thyme round out the rich holiday menu. To savor these dishes, get the recipes when you read more

Now that we have the OK to eat tomatoes again, I can joyfully make my famous tomato bruschetta. I actually got the recipe from a chef friend, but since I've made it so many times people think it's mine. I add fresh red peppers to this recipe to give it a snappier texture. It makes a wonderful appetizer or a light healthy meal.

To see the recipe just read more

At the Food and Wine Classic, I watched Jose Andres make bread chips. He froze a baguette, sliced it superthin with a mandoline, and panfried it until crisp. While Andres topped his with anchovies and other Spanish ingredients, I haven't stopped thinking about this bread chip and wondered how it would translate into a nacho. I don't have a mandoline, so I used regular white bread. However, I wish I would have found a way to use paper-thin bread. The final result was more like a cheesy bruschetta than a nacho. When I realized this, I was disappointed, but the classic Italian flavors — mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil — were so delicious that I soon forgot my sadness. I highly recommend you make this scrumptious appetizer, only instead of calling it nachos, simply call it bruschetta! To see what I did, read more

When I saw this recipe for chocolate bruschetta, I had one of those why didn't I think of that? moments. Leave it to the folks at MyRecipes.com to come up with something so deliciously clever!

It takes one of my favorite appetizers — bruschetta — and turns it into a sweet, gooey treat. The chocolate-topped bread is seasoned with coarse sea salt and orange zest elevating the classic French breakfast — pain au chocolat — to a gourmet level.

Served with a glass of aged port, this would make an excellent finish to any dinner party. For the easy recipe, please read more

If you love turkey sandwiches, but are stuck in a boring recipe rut, consider making these scrumptious sandwiches. Spicy pepper turkey is layered with walnuts and spinach. Both a bruschetta topping and mayonnaise are slathered on the bread. Feel free to get creative with the recipe. Sun dried tomato tapenade or fresh pesto would be equally delicious substitutes for the bruschetta spread. To take a look at the recipe, read more