Like that? Try this: Pan Fried Bruschetta

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Happy Tuesday everyone! Sadly, this post is going to be a bit short because I’m still feeling really, really crappy. Even after two nights binging on NyQuil, I’m still sneezing, sniffling, coughing and can’t breathe to save my life. I honestly think it’s’ because two days ago it was 70 degrees and yesterday IT SNOWED.

I love snow but seriously? This limbo weather is going to kill me. But, snow? So pretty. I’d rather have snow all day than this crazy back and forth.

So pretty, right? Except I’m pretty sure I should not have spent an hour playing in it, given my current state. It was worth it though. When I look out the window all I see is slushy mud puddles and missing patches of snow. It may have made me sicker, but it was so worth it.

When I wasn’t getting sicker outside, I still had a full days worth of work to do. 3 articles to write, recipes to create and test, pictures to take. Plus, I needed to create something tasty to share with y’all, even if I can’t taste or smell a darn thing. So, I made bruschetta.

But not just any ol’ bruschetta. I was inspired by the movie Julie & Julia (surprise, surprise, right?) Julie makes an INCREDIBLE looking bruschetta that was pan fried (probably in a ton of butter) and topped with amazing fresh tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms. Honestly, every time I watch that movie, I salivate a bit and think “I have got to make bruschetta like that.” And guess what? I finally did. And, of course, on the day I have absolutely no taste buds.

You have NO idea how bad I wanted to taste this. I ate a piece, because, I’m sick not stupid, and it was crunchy, but soft and had absolutely NO flavor to me what so ever. I think that’s what they call “evil”, “torture”, “horrible luck?” So I had to stare, longingly, at it until my husband could get home so I could watch him eat it, and then with perked ears, ask how it tasted.

He honestly thought I was crazy, which, as we all know, is not new. And, as I suspected, he said it was delicious. Fresh, crunchy, with the perfect blend of spice and oil.

Thank you darling for being my taste tester. And for giving me NyQuil while I lay on the couch. And for the doing the dishes that were spewing out of the sink and for not punching me when I’ve whined for countless hours because I can’t stand being sick. You rock. I love you.

I think I’m still drunk from NyQuil.

Pan Seared Bruschetta

Yields 8 pieces
Prep time: 10 – 15 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes

What You’ll Need:

  • 8 pieces of french bread (whole wheat preferably)
  • 1 tomato, finely chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
  • 1 basil leaf, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup of finely chopped mushrooms
  • Fresh mozzarella

How to Make It:

  • Heat one tablespoon of oil in a frying pan over medium high heat. Add onions, garlic and mushrooms and cook about 2 -3 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until vegetables are soft, about 3 more minutes. Add spices, salt, pepper and basil and remove from heat. Stir until just mixed.
  • In the same pan, heat the second tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the bread and cook until browned on each side, about 3 – 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Repeat until all the bread is toasted.
  • Add topping to bread. Grate fresh mozzarella over the vegetable topping and enjoy!

Nutritional information per piece: 100 calories, 3 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber. 

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Comments

  1. Posted by Lacy on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    Yum!! That sounds amazing! I've never tried to make a pan fried bruschetta but even in your sickness you made it sound incredibly delicious. Hope you feel better!
  2. Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    Just pinned this to my "things I have to try" board! It looks so delicious ... I think you SO need to make it again so you get a chance to taste it.
  3. Posted by Jessica Trimble on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    I'm sorry you couldn't taste it - it looks amazing!
  4. Posted by Kiri W. on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    I absolutely salivated at the same part of the movie! :) Yours look wonderful, and I love that they aren't horrible for you.
    Feel better! I know how much a cold can just suck you dry of energy...
  5. Posted by Bake Your Day on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    I want this whole recipe to myself. And I want it right now!
  6. Posted by Terris on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    Hope you feel better soon.  You will have to make another batch all for yourself!  This looks so flavorful and delicious!
  7. Posted by Kelly on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    I just watched that movie last night, I LOVE it!  This looks amazing, definitely making this soon! :)
  8. Posted by Jen on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    That is so pretty!  But I'm with you - this crazy back and forth is just getting on my nerves.  It's t-shirt weather again here today... hope you feel better soon so that you can enjoy it!
  9. Posted by Stephsbitebybite on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    L.O.V.E. Julie and Julia!! Not only for the food but for the blogging :) I think you should have invited me over to be the taste tester for you! These look stunning!!
  10. Posted by Clare on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    This looks incredible and really easy to make. I need to try this! You'll have to make it again so you can enjoy it too :)
  11. Posted by Desiree Jacobs on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    this looks awesome!!! i love bruschetta and this looks right up my alley. yumm!

    www.bundtsofsteel.blogspot.com
  12. Posted by Lauren on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    this is so so beautiful! Cannot wait to try it out :)
  13. Posted by Janet@FCTC on
    Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
    This looks delicious and I absolutely love your photos!!
  14. Posted by Emily @ Life on Food on
    Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
    That is one of my favorite parts of the movie.  That bruschetta looks so delicious.  I am glad you tried it out at home...I really need to do that.  Makes the snow not so bad.
  15. Posted by Eliot on
    Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
    Obviously, you are going to have to make this again so you can ENJOY!   (BTW, beautiful snow pics!) 
  16. Posted by Sudha on
    Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
    Ohh dear - I know this feeling of being sneezy and crappy - but then take heart, you will feel better soon!Bruschetta looks so inviting.And the pictures of snow are lovely.We are slated to have some snow tonight cause it hasn't been snowing here much down south.Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe btw and congrats on the Top 9:)
  17. Posted by Erin on
    Friday, January 13th, 2012
    Sorry you are sick, hopefully you feel better by now!  This bread looks amazing.  Love the idea of pan searing the bread.  And mushrooms?  YUM!!
  18. Posted by Michelle on
    Saturday, January 28th, 2012
    This does look fabulous!