Guest Blog Written By: Ashley from The Mutts Kitchen
I am always on a mission, thinking of different ways to feed my children veggies. Whether it includes keeping them raw, steaming, stir frying, boiling, puréeing, roasting, baking, broiling, or BBQ’d; I NEED to keep things fresh, new and exciting…always. Otherwise, I’ll get a few grumpy stares and screw faces, and it’s not just from the kids.
Recently, I purchased 2 lbs of grape tomatoes at the Superstore for $3.49. My intention was to make fresh bruschetta or a salad of some sort, but I noticed that I waited a couple of days too long to prepare it. I think the batch of tomatoes “seasoned” in the cold refrigerator for about 10 days (maybe more), making the skin around these beauties wrinkle just a little. So, I thought what the heck!! These babies are going to taste amazing in the oven. And Lord did they ever!
The boys had it after school with mini Melba toast (presented in the photo). But, Hubby loved it as I sent it for lunch the next day over a Bean Tuna and Spinach salad. He also loved it as a “snack” with pickled hot banana peppers, fresh Portuguese cow cheese on a bun. I love that he is so simple but when I tried it myself, I thought “wow baby” as it tasted surprisingly delicious!
Give it a try, and let me know what you pared it with…as your options are truly endless.
HOT STUFF BRUSCHETTA
Recipe By: Ashley
Yields: 2 cups approximately
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 50-60 minutes
Have you ever tried baking your homemade bruschetta? It pairs deliciously with goat or cream cheese on Melba toast, over hummus as an app, add it to a spinach salad, toss it; with cooked couscous, quinoa, or pasta, in a sandwich, as a side with mini pita’s, or a topping on your pizza. It is an awesome after school snack, have it in your lunch or as a simple side!
Ingredients:
2 lbs grape tomatoes; halved
1/2 red onion; finely chopped
1/3 cup kalamata olives; chopped
1 bunch fresh basil leaves (6-8 leaves approx); finely sliced
4-6 garlic cloves; pressed
1 tbsp Clubhouse Italian Seasoning
Sea salt and black pepper; to taste
Olive oil; drizzled
Directions:
1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
2. Place the grape tomatoes on a baking sheet cut side facing upwards.
3. Sprinkle the onion, olives, basil, and garlic evenly over the tomatoes.
4. Season with Italian Seasoning and salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil.
6. Bake for approximately 30 minutes at 350 degrees, than broil until the tomato edges char (blacken) lightly.
Enjoy hot, once cooled or keep refrigerated for a snack the next day.
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