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.

Pan Fried Asparagus – Perfect Every Time

Delicious Asparagus!

If you want a an Asparagus recipe that is simple and delicious, it doesn’t get any easier than this. It’s the very foundation for many other recipes out there but it doesn’t need to be anymore complicated. A simple blanch and sear from a light pan fry, with olive oil, salt and pepper, is all you need to achieve perfection. Asparagus cooked like this not only tastes incredible but goes great with just about any main course.

When I eat Asparagus, I don’t want to sink my teeth into a limp noodle. I want a vibrant vegetable with a light crisp that melts in my mouth like butter. Asparagus that is cooked like that doesn’t just seduce my pallet with flavor, it gives my body the nutrition it needs because it isn’t cooked until it’s dead. Always try to leave some life in your cooked vegetables. Not only will your body thank you, your taste buds will as well because the flavor will be preserved with the nutrients. Your Asparagus will be delicious and cooked perfect every time.

Asparagus Ingredients:

1 bunch Asparagus
1 qt Boiling Water (Blanching)
2 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Follow the instructions in the video to tutorial for this Pan Fried Asparagus recipe and I’ll show you how easy it is to make.

Eastern Chicken Chow Mein

Winner Winner Chicken Chow Mein Dinner!

Cash in on this Chicken Chow Mein dinner Fo’ Show! It’s got everything you want in this recipe; vegetables, chicken, rice and Crispy noodles. Yep, that’s what I’m talking about. Now, if you’re wondering why I’m referencing “Eastern” Chicken Chow Mein for this recipe and you missed my other post about “Western” Chow Mein, you can CLICK RIGHT HERE to read up on the differences between the two and how Lo Mein fits in with all the confusion. Otherwise, let’s move on shall we.

Traditionally, Chicken Chow Mein is serve with a ton a vegetables over rice, topped with crispy noodles. If that’s what you are looking for, then you came to the right place. This recipe has all of that, and I’m happy to say that and more. But this Chicken Chow Mein recipe doesn’t necessarily have to have chicken in it at all if you prefer a substitutions. Tofu is an excellent source of protein and it’s used in Chinese cooking constantly. So if you’re leaning that way, don’t be shy because this recipe is great with Tofu too. Personally I even prefer using shrimp when I’ve got it. Nothing like some wild Browns!

Chicken Chow Mein Ingredients:

2 cups of rice
2 cups Crispy Noodles
4 boneless Chicken thighs (chicken breast,shrimp or tofu)

2 Celery Stocks
1 cup Shitake Mushrooms
1 cup Bean Sprouts
1 can Water chestnuts
1 hand full String Peas
1/2 chopped Onion

3 cups Chicken stock
1/3 cup corn starch
1/4 cup Soy Sauce
2 tsp Sesame Oil
1 tsp fresh chopped Ginger
1 tbsp sugar (optional)
peanut oil for cooking

Cook the Chicken thoroughly, salt and pepper to taste
Mix 2 cups of Chicken stock with soy and sugar on low heat in a seperate pan
Mix 1 cup of Chicken stock with corn starch in a seperate bowl
Stir fry all the vegetables, add chicken, then stock with soy and bring to a boil
Add Chicken stock with Corn starch
Add Sesame Oil and Ginger and serve

For an added bonus, I like to top off this recipe with a shake of Tempura Dipping sauce, made by Kikkoman. I hope you enjoy this Eastern Chicken Chow Mein recipe as much as I do.