OPEN SANDWICH FIESTA | Quick fix delicate bites…

BY: DR. KAVIRAJ KHIALANI- CELEBRITY MASTER CHEF.

Open sandwiches or the Italians call it Bruschetta is an Antipasto- classic style starter from Italy consisting of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil and salt. Variations may include toppings of tomato, vegetables, beans, cured meat, or cheese. In Italy, bruschetta is often prepared using a grill.

The traditional bread for bruschetta is pagnotta, Italian-style round bread with a light brown crust and the right amount of denseness. Its flavor and texture are reminiscent of sourdough bread. By definition, bruschetta refers to an antipasto that has a base of toasted bread that has been rubbed with raw garlic and drizzled with olive oil.

The toppings are actually endless! In America, we have just grown to associate bruschetta with the marinated tomato variety. Bruschetta can be served hot or cold. Despite being a smaller dish, there are a few significant health benefits that come with bruschetta. Many of them are within the tomatoes!

Amongst other things, they are a great source of potassium and Vitamin C. They are also a great source of antioxidants, which can help do all sorts of things for your body. Cool bread a few minutes, and then rub each slice with the cut side of the garlic. Drizzle bread lightly with olive oil, top with bruschetta spread and shredded Parmesan cheese, and serve.

It’s just a mixture of chopped tomatoes, balsamic, basil, and garlic, spooned over olive-oil brushed slices of toasted baguette or rustic bread. It’s perfect for a party because you can make a large batch of the topping ahead of time, as well as toasting baguette slices.

The freshest, ripe, and aromatic tomatoes are best for bruschetta. Plum, cherry, or beefsteak tomatoes are good choices. Tomatoes bought “on the vine” or home-grown are usually the most flavourful.

Here are a few quick fix yet tasty options with bruschetta to make and serve loved ones:

Recipe-1] PESTO TOMATO OLIVE OPEN SANDWICHES

Ingredients :

• Bruschetta bread slices- 8-10 no

For the spread

• Olive oil- 2-3 tbsp.

For the toppings:

• Cherry tomatoes- 100 gms
• Garlic cloves- 2-3 no chopped
• Onion-1 small sliced
• Black/ green olives- 3-4 no
• Salt to taste
• Crushed black pepper to taste
• White vinegar-1-2 tsp
• White wine-1-2 tsp opt
• Fresh basil leaves- 6- 8 no
• Pesto sauce- 2-3 tsp
• Cream cheese- 2-3 tsp
• Oregano to taste
• Chili flakes- ½ tsp

For garnish:

• Sliced olives/ micro- greens/ fresh herbs etc

Method:

1. prepare all the ingredients for the bruschetta recipe as listed in the above list.
2. ensure the bread being used is firm to touch and not cut very thin since it needs to be a Little durable to hold the toppings as well once it is ready to serve.
3. drizzle a little olive oil in a non- stick pan and saute the garlic, onions and add in the cherry tomatoes, give them all a nice toss.
4. add salt, pepper, herbs, chili flakes, white vinegar and mix well, cook for 2-3 mins and remove, allow to cool a little.
5. drizzle a little olive oil on the sliced bread pieces and grill them one by one on both sides and place them on a serving platter or plate.
6. now spoon over the prepared pesto sauce on each piece of the bread and then place the topping ensuring the contents are visible and staying in one place, add in the sliced olives and spoon over some cream cheese as well.
7. now finally, place the assorted garnishes on the bruschettas as desired and serve them immediately.

Recipe-2] COMBO DUET OPEN SANDWICH

Ingredients :

• Bruschetta bread slices- 8-10 no

For the spread

• Olive oil- 2-3 tbsp.

For the toppings:

• Chopped tomatoes- 100 gms
• Garlic cloves- 2-3 no chopped
• Onion-1 small sliced
• Black/ green olives- 3-4 no
• Salt to taste
• Crushed black pepper to taste
• White vinegar-1-2 tsp
• White wine-1-2 tsp opt
• Fresh basil leaves- 6- 8 no
• Peanut butter crunchy- 2-3 tsp
• Cream cheese- 2-3 tsp
• Oregano to taste
• Chili flakes- ½ tsp
• Roasted chopped eggplant- 1 cup

For garnish:

• Sliced olives/ micro- greens/ fresh herbs etc

Method:

1. prepare all the ingredients for the bruschetta recipe as listed in the above list.
2. ensure the bread being used is firm to touch and not cut very thin since it needs to be a Little durable to hold the toppings as well once it is ready to serve.
3. drizzle a little olive oil in a non- stick pan and saute the garlic, onions and add in the cherry tomatoes, give them all a nice toss.
4. add salt, pepper, herbs, chili flakes, white vinegar and mix well, cook for 2-3 mins and remove, allow to cool a little. Separately also toss the eggplant and place it aside.
5. drizzle a little olive oil on the sliced bread pieces and grill them one by one on both sides and place them on a serving platter or plate.
6. now spoon over the peanut butter on each piece of the bread and then place the topping ensuring the contents are visible and staying in one place, add in the sliced olives and spoon over some cream cheese as well. prepare plain tomato cheese and with roasted eggplant separate as well to add variety in the plate.
7. now finally, place the assorted garnishes on the bruschettas as desired and serve them immediately.

Recipe-3] CURRIED CHICKEN OPEN SANDWICH

Ingredients

• Bruschetta bread slices- 8-10 no

For the spread

• Olive oil- 2-3 tbsp.

For the toppings:

• Chopped tomatoes- 100 gms
• Garlic cloves- 2-3 no chopped
• Onion-1 small sliced
• Black/ green olives- 3-4 no
• Salt to taste
• Crushed black pepper to taste
• White vinegar-1-2 tsp
• White wine-1-2 tsp opt
• Fresh basil leaves- 6- 8 no
• Peanut butter crunchy or schezuan chutney- 2-3 tsp
• Cream cheese- 2-3 tsp
• Oregano to taste
• Chili flakes- ½ tsp
• Curry powder-1 /2 tsp
• Coconut milk- 1/3 cup
• Sliced sautéed pieces of boneless chicken- 1 cup

For garnish:

• Sliced olives/ micro- greens/ fresh herbs etc

Method:

1. prepare all the ingredients for the bruschetta recipe as listed in the above list.
2. ensure the bread being used is firm to touch and not cut very thin since it needs to be a Little durable to hold the toppings as well once it is ready to serve.
3. drizzle a little olive oil in a non- stick pan and saute the garlic, onions and add in the cherry tomatoes, give them all a nice toss, add curry powder, coconut milk and boneless chicken slices.
4. add salt, pepper, herbs, chili flakes, white vinegar and mix well, cook for 5-6 mins and remove, allow to cool a little.
5. drizzle a little olive oil on the sliced bread pieces and grill them one by one on both sides and place them on a serving platter or plate.
6. now spoon over the peanut butter on each piece of the bread and then place the topping ensuring the contents are visible and staying in one place, add in the sliced olives and spoon over some cream cheese as well. prepare plain tomato cheese and with roasted eggplant separate as well to add variety in the plate.
7. now finally, place the assorted garnishes on the bruschettas as desired and serve them immediately.

Recipe-4] HIDDEN SURPRISE OPEN SANDWICH

Ingredients:

• Bruschetta bread slices- 8-10 no

For the spread

• Olive oil- 2-3 tbsp.

For the toppings:

• Chopped tomatoes- 100 gms
• Garlic cloves- 2-3 no chopped
• Onion-1 small sliced
• Black/ green olives- 3-4 no
• Salt to taste
• Crushed black pepper to taste
• White vinegar-1-2 tsp
• White wine-1-2 tsp opt
• Fresh basil leaves- 6- 8 no
• Peanut butter crunchy or schezuan chutney- 2-3 tsp
• Cream cheese- 2-3 tsp
• Oregano to taste
• Chili flakes- ½ tsp
• Veg Manchurian balls or chicken Manchurian balls- 8-10 nos

For garnish:

• Sliced olives/ micro- greens/ fresh herbs etc

Method:

1. prepare all the ingredients for the bruschetta recipe as listed in the above list.
2. ensure the bread being used is firm to touch and not cut very thin since it needs to be a Little durable to hold the toppings as well once it is ready to serve.
3. drizzle a little olive oil in a non- stick pan and saute the garlic, onions and add in the cherry tomatoes, give them all a nice toss add in veg or chicken Manchurian balls.
4. add salt, pepper, herbs, chili flakes, white vinegar and mix well, cook for 5-6 mins and remove, allow to cool a little.
5. drizzle a little olive oil on the sliced bread pieces and grill them one by one on both sides and place them on a serving platter or plate.
6. now spoon over the peanut butter on each piece of the bread and then place the topping ensuring the contents are visible and staying in one place, add in the sliced olives and spoon over some cream cheese as well. prepare plain tomato cheese and schezuan chutney, fresh parsley or coriander/spring onion greens.
7. now finally, place the assorted garnishes on the bruschettas as desired and serve them immediately.

Recipe-5] MARINATED MUSHROOM OPEN SANDWICH

Ingredients

• Bruschetta bread slices- 8-10 no

For the spread

Olive oil- 2-3 tbsp.

For the toppings:

• Chopped tomatoes- 100 gms
• Garlic cloves- 2-3 no chopped
• Onion-1 small sliced
• Black/ green olives- 3-4 no
• Salt to taste
• Crushed black pepper to taste
• White vinegar-1-2 tsp
• White wine-1-2 tsp opt
• Fresh basil leaves- 6- 8 no
• Peanut butter crunchy or schezuan chutney- 2-3 tsp
• Cream cheese- 2-3 tsp
• Oregano to taste
• Chili flakes- ½ tsp
• Sliced fresh mushrooms-1 cup

For garnish

• Sliced olives/ micro- greens/ fresh herbs etc

Method:

1. prepare all the ingredients for the bruschetta recipe as listed in the above list.
2. ensure the bread being used is firm to touch and not cut very thin since it needs to be a Little durable to hold the toppings as well once it is ready to serve.
3. drizzle a little olive oil in a non- stick pan and saute the garlic, onions and add in the cherry tomatoes, give them all a nice toss add in the marinated mushrooms. [try marinating the mushrooms with little olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs, white wine for 10 min add salt, pepper, herbs, chili flakes, white vinegar and mix well, cook for 5-6 mins and remove, allow to cool a little.
4. drizzle a little olive oil on the sliced bread pieces and grill them one by one on both sides and place them on a serving platter or plate.
5. now spoon over the peanut butter on each piece of the bread and then place the topping ensuring the contents are visible and staying in one place, add in the marinated mushrooms, sliced olives and spoon over some cream cheese as well. prepare plain tomato cheese and schezuan chutney, fresh parsley or coriander/spring onion greens.
6. now finally, place the assorted garnishes on the bruschettas as desired and serve them immediately.

Recipe-6] TIC TAC TOE OPEN SANDWICH

Ingredients

• Bruschetta bread slices- 8-10 no

For the spread

• Olive oil- 2-3 tbsp.

For the toppings:

• Chopped tomatoes- 100 gms
• Garlic cloves- 2-3 no chopped
• Onion-1 small sliced
• Black/ green olives- 3-4 no
• Salt to taste
• Crushed black pepper to taste
• White vinegar-1-2 tsp
• White wine-1-2 tsp opt
• Fresh basil leaves- 6- 8 no
• Peanut butter crunchy or schezuan chutney- 2-3 tsp
• Cream cheese- 2-3 tsp
• Oregano to taste
• Chili flakes- ½ tsp
• Fresh button mushrooms-1 cup, sliced.
• Boiled chickpeas- ½ cup
• Sprouts- ½ cup steamed
• Assorted capsicums-1/2 cup chopped
• Baked beans-1/2 cup tinned
• Sliced sausages- ½ cup

For garnish:

• Sliced olives/ micro- greens/ fresh herbs etc

Method:

1. prepare all the ingredients for the bruschetta recipe as listed in the above list.
2. ensure the bread being used is firm to touch and not cut very thin since it needs to be a Little durable to hold the toppings as well once it is ready to serve.
3. drizzle a little olive oil in a non- stick pan and saute the garlic, onions and add in the cherry tomatoes, give them all a nice toss add in the assorted ingredients from boiled chickpeas to sprouts to boiled corn, assorted cold cuts, sausages etc and prepare 3 different toppings add salt, pepper, herbs, chili flakes, white vinegar and mix well, cook for 5-6 mins and remove, allow to cool a little.
4. drizzle a little olive oil on the sliced bread pieces and grill them one by one on both sides and place them on a serving platter or plate.
5. now spoon over the peanut butter on each piece of the bread and then place the topping ensuring the contents are visible and staying in one place, add in the marinated mushrooms, sliced olives and spoon over some cream cheese as well. prepare plain tomato cheese and schezuan chutney, fresh parsley or coriander/spring onion greens.
6. now finally, place the assorted garnishes on the bruschettas as desired and serve them immediately.