Tomato and Basil Bruschetta

The Best Bruschetta

Notice my Title question about Tomato and Basil Bruschetta isn’t a question; it’s a statement. It’s absolutely the truth. Only the finest Italian ingredients can pull this off, and I just so happen to have the ingredients to the best recipe on earth for you and your loved ones to personally enjoy what you already love, or what you thought was just an okay appetizer. My recipe is guaranteed to kick your opinion up a notch no matter what the case!

Ingredients to make fresh Tomato and Basil Bruschetta, on a cutting board.

Basic Essentials

First you need to understand that there are various recipes and different styles of Bruschetta; Mushroom or my Sweet Pepper Bruschetta, for example, but there is usually only one specific recipe on the menu, at your local favorite Italian Restaurant and that’s Tomato and Basil Bruschetta.

The secret to great Bruschetta, no matter which variation you choose, is fresh ingredients. The ones that make a difference anyway, and the one that makes the biggest difference is Basil. Never EVER use dried basil. Dried Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram and Sage are all great examples of seasonings that taste wonderful when they are dehydrated but, I’m telling you, Basil is not one of them for this recipe.

Tomato and Basil Bruschetta Ingredients:

2 Roma Tomatoes
1/4 Chopped Red Onion
1 Chopped Green Onion (Scallions)
1 Large Garlic Clove or 2 average 5 Large Chopped
Several FRESH Basil Leaves
1 tsp Italian Seasoning (Oregano, Thyme, Marjoram, Sage, Rosemary, Basil)
1/4 tsp Margarita Salt or Kosher, Sea Salt if you prefer
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
1/4 cup Olive Oil

Chop all Veggies very small, especially the onion, but don’t turn your tomatoes into soup. Combine all ingredients and serve your Tomato and Basil Bruschetta over the top of your favorite toasted Italian bread or French Baguette.

Cheese Bombers with Bacon

The Best Cheese Bombers

Cheese Bombers are the BOMB(pun intended). What are they? Grands, Flaky Layers, Biscuits, cut into quarters, flattened and filled with Mozzarella Cheese, then wrapped with Bacon and fried. The only thing that would make these better, in my opinion, is some chopped Jalapeno Peppers in the mix. Maybe Pepper Jack Cheese, instead of Mozzarella, would be the way to go. Either way, it would give Jalapeno Poppers a run for their money because they’re that good.

Frying Cheese Bombers

One of the most common questions I get about this recipe is, “Can these be baked instead?” The answer is no. You run the risk of burning the biscuits or under cooking the bacon. To insure that both cook evenly, they need to be submerged in a deep fry. Do this and your Cheese Bombers will turn out perfect, every time.

Cheese Bombers Ingredients:

2 cans Grands flaky Biscuits cut into fours
1 lbs Mozzarella Cheese Squares 3/4 to 1 inch thick
1 pkg Bacon slices cut in half
Oil for Frying

Fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Be sure to watch the short video tutorial and I’ll show you exactly how to make these Cheese Bombers.

Grilled Cheese with an Egg in the Basket

Grilled Cheese and a what?

I said, a Grilled Cheese sandwich with an Egg in the Basket. It’s not that complicated is it? It’s two of my favorite comfort foods molded into one delicious sandwich, and it’s got Brunch written all over it! I suppose there are probably recipes for each of these all over the web these days because they’re both really popular items and they’re both very easy to prepare, but can you do both at the same time in the same recipe? You’ll be able to after you watch this little step by step tutorial, I promise you. Especially once you realize that this Brunch sandwich is smothered with a sausage country gravy!

Grilled Cheese with an Egg in a Basket Ingredients:

2 pieces of Bread
2 tbsp Butter
1 egg
1/4 cup Cheddar Cheese

Butter only one peice of bread. Cookie cut the other for the egg in a basket. Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a hot pan over medium and place the cookie cut slice in the pan, then crack one egg in the middle and add salt and pepper. After one minute, flip the bread over to the other side, using a spatula, and cover the top with cheese immediately. Then place the other piece of bread on top and wait 1 minute to flip the whole sandwich over, to cook the other side. Once you’ve flipped the Grilled Cheese Sandwich over, the Egg in a Basket side will be facing up. Cook for another minute then plate. I like to serve my Grilled Cheese with an Egg in a Basket, with sausage or country gravy!