The most simple of dishes in the world. Still it deserves a mention as it is an obvious choice for a quick meal in the italian kitchen, and a healthy and tasty one too. It can be varied to your own taste, as is often the case in italian cooking. This is the basic recipe known as Caprese (from Capri).
It is pronounced "brus-Ketta" not "bru-Sjetta" as is often heard !
(4 bruschetta)
Slice the bread in 1-1,5 cm thick slices (ca. 1/2 inch) and toast them. They should be clearly brown and even slightly "burned", but still with some moisture and softness inside. You can grill them on a pan or in the oven. Toasting in a vertical toaster is my preferred way. If the slices are too long, turn them and put them back in half way through toasting.
Slice the tomatoes thinly into 12 slices. Slice the Mozzarella thinly into 8 slices. Takes a good knife, maybe a Santoku type with kullens, for easier cutting. I have a cheap small kullen santuko style knife for this purpose only. No need to buy the expensive stuff for small special cuttings like this. Roll the basil gently into a cigar and chop. Cut of 1/3 of the clove of garlic.
Wipe the cut side of the garlic on each bread. I am personally not fan of strong garlic taste, so I ONLY wipe each slice once in an oval motion across the bread. Place tomato, cheese, tomato, cheese, tomato on the slices until filled. Drizzle each with basil. Give it a serious drizzle with the good olive oil. Then a pinch of salt and some freshly ground pepper. You can add dried Oregano also.
The recipe is the most basic. Often the tomato and cheese are chopped into small cubes, but they fall of easily when eating. You can add olives, proscuto, balsamico or other from your liking. Experiment :-)
BUON APPETITO :-)
