Homemade Brushetta

One of my favorite crowd pleasing recipes- or just for the two of us to enjoy! Homemade brushetta! And, it's super simple- combine diced tomatoes, diced onions, Basil, salt & pepper and a swirl of olive oil in a bowl or container. The longer it sits- the better it tastes after those flavors marry! 

My favorite olive oil is a Tuscan infused olive oil I pick up from the Cotton Exchange in Wilmington, NC each year- but, regular EVOO will do the job too!

 

When you're ready to serve- take a tbsp of chopped fresh garlic- or a sprinkle of garlic powder- and apply to your slice of buttered bread. Grill it up- or broil it in the oven until it's toasted. 

Then, top your slice of bread with the tomato mixture and ENJOY! 

Easy to follow recipe:

4 ripe tomatoes, diced

1/4 white onion finely chopped

5-6 basil leaves, finely chopped

1 tbsp olive oil 

Salt & pepper

2 cloves Garlic-finely chopped 

2tbsp Butter

Italian bread loaf 

Combine tomatoes, onion, olive oil, 1 clove of garlic chopped and salt & pepper to taste.stir to combine.  Put in refrigerator- better the longer it sits. 

Brush Italian bread loaf slices with butter and a bit of chopped garlic. Grill or broil in the oven until toasted. Top with tomato mixture. Enjoy!! 

Tomato Bisque

Got this amazing soup recipe from a friend.  I don't usually eat tomato soup, but this one is creamy, and amazing!!  Even my daughter loves this soup and has since she was a baby!!  Thanks Katie for the recipe!!

Ingredient List
1/4 c. butter
1 small onion finely chopped
1 celery stalk finely chopped
1 carrot finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
5 leaves of fresh basil
3 tbls all purpose flour
3 tbls tomato paste
3 tbls sugar
4 c. chicken broth
2 (14.5 oz) cans fire roasted tomatoes drained
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 c heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper to taste



To make:

start with these ingredients:
1/4 c. butter
1 small onion finely chopped
1 celery stalk finely chopped
1 carrot finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
5 leaves of fresh basil
3 tbls all purpose flour

...start with melting butter in a stock pan on med to low heat. add garlic, when garlic starts to sizzle add basil. let marinate for 30 seconds then add remaining veggies. let veggies cook for about 7 mins on med to med low heat (until soft). stir occasionally. add flour and cook 1 min longer stirring constantly.

then add following ingredients:
3 tbls tomato paste
3 tbls sugar
4 c. chicken broth
2 (14.5 oz) cans fire roasted tomatoes drained
1/4 tsp nutmeg

bring to a boil over high heat then reduce heat to med low cover and simmer for 15 mins (i like to stir every 5 so veggies don't get clumped in bottom) 

then you...

pour soup into a blender and puree (small amounts at a time)

return pureed soup to saucepan and stir in...

1/4 c heavy whipping cream
add salt and pepper to taste!

Top with chopped chicken, cheese, croutons, grilled cheese, crusty bread or any topping of your choice!