Name: Bruschetta- An Italian Appetizer recipe by Alka Jena at BetterButter
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 fresh tomatoes, chopped; 1 small green bell pepper, chopped; 1/4 cup cheese cubes; 4 to 5 green olives; 4 to 5 black olives; 1/2 onion chopped; 4 cloves of fresh garlic, finely chopped; 1 bunch of fresh basil chopped; 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 tsp dried oregano; Salt and 1/2tsp freshly ground pepper to taste; Grated cheese for garnishing; 12 slices of Italian bread or baguette; Ingredients for Green Pesto :; 2 cups fresh basil leaves; 4 cloves roasted garlic; 1/4 cup roasted groundnuts; 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed; ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil; ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese; Salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, to taste

ABOUT Bruschetta- An Italian Appetizer RECIPE

Bruschetta is an antipasto (starter dish) from Italy consisting of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil and salt. Variations may include toppings of tomato, vegetables, beans, cured meat, or cheese, a popular dish is Bruschetta pomodoro; the most popular recipe outside of Italy involves basil, fresh tomato, garlic and onion or mozzarella. Bruschetta is usually served as a snack or appetizer. In some countries, a topping of chopped tomato, olive oil and herbs is marketed under the bruschetta name.

Ingredients Serving: 4

4 fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup cheese cubes
4 to 5 green olives
4 to 5 black olives
1/2 onion chopped
4 cloves of fresh garlic, finely chopped
1 bunch of fresh basil chopped
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and 1/2tsp freshly ground pepper to taste
Grated cheese for garnishing
12 slices of Italian bread or baguette
Ingredients for Green Pesto :
2 cups fresh basil leaves
4 cloves roasted garlic
1/4 cup roasted groundnuts
1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Combine the basil, garlic, lemon juice, and groundnuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground. Add ¼ cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the remaining oil, cheese and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl.
Fresh basil walnut pesto is ready. Taste and see if it needs more pepper or salt and add as needed. Remember that the Parmesan cheese will add some saltiness too, so go light on salt in the beginning, you can always add more as needed.
Pesto tastes great as a dip with crackers or cut up vegetable sticks. Go ahead, make yourself some!
Preheat oven to 250°C.
Combine tomato, bell pepper, onion, garlic, green and black olives, cheese, basil, oregano, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
Now spread the green pesto on each bread slices and top with tomato mixture and grated cheese.
Serve immediately.

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