ItaIlian cuisine - is it a cuisine? Or is it generations of devising from what is fresh and local? My cooking has greatly simplified over the last few years. A little garlic. Some herbs. Let the main ingredient shine.`
When my family went camping (I do not partake anymore - in fact the kids won't let me - I bring rain), I had bruschetta toppings for dinner. A trio of them.
I heated up the smallest amount of olive oil possible. Added a handful of sage and then some garlic slivers. Sauteed for 30 seconds and then added a can of cannelini beans. Done in a minute.
After years of making cherry-tomato bruschetta with olives and then topping it with a large slab of fresh mozzarella, I saw Stacey Snacks bruschetta topping - with the mozzarella combined with the tomatoes. Instant love. I used a pint of cherry and pear tomatoes (thank-you garden and thank-you Sadie (dog) for not eating all the candy-sweet pear tomatoes). Added a handful of basil, a handful of Italian parsley, some minced garlic, a minced shallot, 1/2 cup kalamata olives and the perlini mozzarella. I add oil to taste and a touch of white balsamic. You can salt and pepper. I don't.`
I also sauteed 8 ounces of mixed mushrooms, with a handful of cherry tomatoes (can you tell the tomatoes were prolific this year?) in a small amount of olive oil.
I added a little chopped red onion and cooked till soft. It was finished with a splash of white wine. Threw in some thyme and Italian parsley. Sauteed a few more minutes and I was done. I had all the dinner I needed.
Three bruschetta toppings. Messy, herby, fresh and savory. In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning played on the CD. I had a book at hand. My evening was complete.
Toasted some bread and poured the wine.
`
Meanwhile, after two years of being the butt of many jokes as I quickly snap photos before serving dinner... guess what? My daughter is snapping photos. She is our designated Baking Queen and has started a blog: Life and Dessert Brigade - if you have a minute stop by and wish her well. She will be a senior in college and her goal is to blog two times a month.
`
Life these days - does what life does. Hectic, deadlines and sudden quiet. Sometimes there's writer's block.
Literally.
Sometimes the writer's block is cuddly.
Which is the reminder to slow down and smell the roses ... or slow down and listen to the purr.
52 comments:
A trio of heavenly toppings, Claudia. Pour me a glass of wine and I'll be right over. (My kitty does that, too! What precious companions they are.) And I will certainly visit your daughter's site - how fabulous that she is taking a cue from you.
the bruschetta toppings look delicious! hehe.
yes, listen to the purrrr! wonderful toppings, just right for a warm sunny day.
I absolutely love your writers block (cuttie:) And I really love these bruchetta toppings, great idea for a dinner...And I will be happy to drop by and visit your daughter :)
Such a lovely post. I hope that was Frank singing "In the wee, small hours." Funny that your family thinks you bring rain, but isn't it nice to settle in with those delicious bruschetta and a glass of wine? Nothing like beans and the scent of sage together, and the other ones look divine too.
what a beauitful kitty love this baby! I would love to be there with a glass of wine and this wonderful bruschetta! yum, I have two cats and they as so part of the family!
Claudia- Three delicious kinds of bruschetta, a little wine and some time alone sounds like paradise to me! What a gorgeous feast:)
Good to know I'm not the only one who makes everyone wait to eat while I take pics before serving :lol:!
Lovely toppings Claudia-so easy, yet healthy and delicious. I'll be making a couple of these tommorrow for either lunch or supper(maybe both). :)
What a pretty cat, it reminds me of a cat my mother had for several years.He was fun and great company.
Such a sweet kitty...I want one so badly, but I'm allergic. This is a great trio, and I'm especially drawn to the mushroom edition...it looks so good!
Claudia, I doubt you could ever bring the rain! Those toppings are all sunshine! I love your adorable kitty!
Have a great evening.
-Gina-
I agree with you completly about simplifying and letting the main ingredient shine! Infused oil is a great idea, I love your sage and garlic white bean bruschetta!!! thank you so much for the recipe.
~ cute writers block, mine are of the two legged variety... and much, much louder than your cute kitty. ;-)
How funny that your doggy likes cherry tomatoes! What great bruschetta toppers. Aren't cats just so funny! Fun photos! ;)
I love these toppings! Especially the cannellini beans!
And that kitty cat is sooo cuddly and cute!
there are so many toppings for crostini and crostones- they are so colorful and tasteful and I find that although I tend to make the same antipastos there are so many more I should be experimenting with.Thanks
I absolutely love your toppings. You've inspired me to go out and pick up these ingredients (and a bottle of yummy wine) and make this my dinner. What's better than fresh ingredients that you can eat with your hands? Lovely post.
I just had breakfast, but yet I'm craving your toppings!
Your writer's block is cute, Claudia!
Claudia, Theres nothing better than a glass of wine with crostini like that! All your flavor combinations are perfection, I could eat like that forever! The beans with the garlic and sage might just be my lunch today! I'm leaving you to check out your daughters blog, I always need a little something sweet to go with my coffee!
Hehe I love that your writer's block was quite literal. I really want a big bowl of those tomatoes!
Sues
Love the kitty! I love a plate of bruschetta, a glass of wine and an evening with friends. Each one of these would be perfect for that. Love them all!
Great bruschetta toppings! Going over to check your daughter's blog!
Google sent me your blog this afternoon. Nice pictures, good writing and love the suggestion of new bruschetta toppings. Thanks.
Adagio
Three delicious toppings!Bruschetta is the best.My favorite is the tomato, olive, and cheese although I would take all three of them any day!
healthy bruchetta
YES! Cooking for one when you care both about yourself AND the food is one of life's greatest pleasures.
what a wonderful trio of toppings!! thanks so much for sharing your toppings, I know everyone loves good bruschetta!
Isn't it funny how cats just know where to position themselves so that they can be most in the way?! My cat waits until I have a bunch of papers laid all over the bed and then he lies in the middle of them.
Those toppings sounds wonderful. I would have a hard time choosing my favorite.
I love your bruschettas, your cat.....but mainly your words, in writing this post !!!!
Claudia...you must have served as a very enthusiastic Foodie for your daughter to want to do as you do ;O) great work!
Bruschetta any way is a great meal for me too...added to a great glass of vino of course!
My favourite of yours is the mushroom combo...I must try it.
BTW...thanks for your basil offering...and yes, I think we'd make great neighbours ;)
Ciao for now and have a fabulous week.
Claudia
All of the toppings look fabulous. I made a bean one very similar about a month ago, but it's gotten pushed back and forgotten for a while...must pull the pix back up. I'll definitely stop by her blog =)
What a great way to spend some 'alone' time Claudia! Snuggled up with a kitty and three delicious bruschetta toppings! Loving the white bean one.
Your toppings all look gorgeous. I'm about to head over to your daughter's blog and say hello. Sorry to be so late in responding to your post. I thought I already had. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary
Your bruschetta toppings sound amazing and perfect with a glass of wine as many of the previous commentors stated.
Love the pics of your kitty, I did not grow up in a gat loving household - mine was purely dog lovers but I learned to appreciate the characters of cats a bit later, and they are indeed special.
Mmm yummy Bruschetta toppings. I love to eat like this, trying a little bit of everything. Your Cat is so cute
Hi Claudia
I'm finally back and now I shall have to eat lighter to lose the pounds I gained indulging on vacation!
I love your three bruschettas! They would make an excellent dinner entree all themselves.
Thanks, all - Kirsten says I am garnering comments by pandering the kitty. Well, maybe. And yes, it was Frank singing "In the wee small hours of the morning. "Of course.
Oh Claudia, is this the recovered cat? Haven't seen him for a while. Btw, the bruschetta toppings look simply lucious. Thanks for sharing. Hope you're having a marvellous day.
Cheers, kristy
I want to make some sandwiches (or maybe pasta?) with your bruschetta toppings! Looks so fresh and healthy!
Cannelini beans with fresh sage and garlic...mmm...that sounds divine!
Sweet kitty! My cats love to sit on my lap and purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr when I am working with the computer. I guess it's warm near the computer.
I really just need to go and eat and I wish I had a bowl of your delicious offering to dig into!! We have lovely tomatoes basking on the windowsill begging to be put into a salad and/or on chewy toasted Italian bread. I'm going to answer their call.
Best,
Bonnie
Excellent options Claudia.
My cat does the same. Don't know what to do now, I have 2 new puppies and 2 new kittens, they are all over the house :0)
Have a great day!
What's not to love when it comes to Italian food? My husband keeps asking, "can we make Bruschetta tonight?" as the cherry tomatoes continue to ripen. When I made the caprese salad, he was very very happy, as was I. ;)
Hi Claudia! ♥ your post! Love that your daughter is bloggin, I will check out her site, and I love that you just had a mellow kid free evening...with music and wine and yuummy bruschetta! Beautiful peaceful evening! - Have a super Tuesday!
Each one of your luscious bruschetta toppings has me dreaming of Italy and food just like this we spent 7 glorious years eating. It has been too long since I've cooked like this and now you have me wondering why! Making a shopping list now!
perfect summer dinner Claudia!
I am with you in the simplicity trail; love that kitty; mine used to do that too, he hated it when I was on the computer or reading or on the phone; needed some attention too!
love those toppings, so yummy, so simple.
Claudia, you will love the salad. I would love to know what you think of it if you do. Have a great day...Mary
Claudia, all of them look awesome as bruschetta topping, would love to try them all, specially the mushroom one :-)
Claudia, what a lovely array of toppings. I'm always searching for more ideas for bruschetta. I've used sage with cannelini beans many times, but I never would have thought of it for bruschetta. Very clever and thank you.
That beautiful kitty is telling you to come play with him. I couldn't resist an invitation such as that.
Sam
Oh, any one of those will do very nicely, thank you, I really couldn't choose!
I'm a cat lover too, and your little beauty is adorable--don't see how you can possibly get any work done!
Best wishes to your daughter with her new blog!
LL
love this little baby~ adorable and the topping are perfect one of my fav's are beans, doing a whole story on how great they are for your heart~ these are perfect toppings love them all~!
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