ARTICHOKE PARTY POKE BRUSCHETTA

You wanna bang? Artichokey Dokey!

Have you ever found yourself without inspiration on what sort of vittles to bring to a party? Ever been scrambling to figure out a classy snack to serve your date with a great bottle of red? Bruschetta to the rescue! It’s light, tasty and goddamn refreshing. Did I mention how simple it is to prepare? You could whip up a batch with your eyes wide shut leaving you plenty of time to tame those clothes your date is still wearing. Be sure to remind them that bruschetta is part of the Mediterranean diet. Be sure to emphasize that you are looking out for their health. The fact the artichoke is a turbo-charged is beside the point. Just go with it when they pounce on you and making a disappearing act of your pants. Abra-bang-dabra!

Total time: approximately 15 minutes
Projected cost: $9
Drinking Buddy: Red wine

Ingredients (serves 2)
1. 1 tablespoon of olive oil
2. 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
3. 2 twists of crack pepper
4. 1 sprinkle of salt
5. 1 baguette
6. 2 handfuls of drained hearts chopped
7. 1 handful of diced red onion
8. 3 tomatoes diced finely
9. 1 small handful of chopped BASIL
10. 2 garlic cloves chopped finely
11. 1 large handful of grated parmesan (skip to make vegan)

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Slice the nubs off the baguette, and then cut ½ inch slices at a diagonal to make more room for fixings. Place the slices on a baking sheet and toast through in the oven until they brown slightly (approx 10 min).

Step 2
Mix together the tomato, artichoke, red onion, basil, garlic, pepper, salt, olive oil and vinegar in a bowl.

Step 3
Scoop a tablespoon of bruschetta fixings onto each toasted bread slice. Sprinkle a little grated Parmesan on top of each and serve with a bottle of wine.

Bruschetta with Goat Cheese and Olive Tapenade

Sometimes we like to eat bites. Not full meals, but rather a series of appetizers in place of a single dish. “Morsels” as Taylor likes to call them. These crispy and tart little toasts are just that, morsels. You’ve got to like olives though – as the tapenade definitely tastes like olives. Strong olives. Though, that could partially be amplified by the fact that I *forgot* to add the olive oil, all 1/4 cup of it, at the end. I guess my mind started thinking about goat cheese and I was a goner…

Mmm… goat cheese…

Bruschetta with Goat Cheese and Olive Tapenade

Makes 1 heaping cup (we made half the recipe and it was more than enough for appetizer sized servings for 3-4 people). Recipe from Wolfgang Puck.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup Niçoise olives, pitted
1 cup small green French olives (Picholine), pitted
1/4 cup Oven-Dried Tomatoes, drained
1 tablespoon capers
1 garlic clove
1 anchovy fillet
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 baguette, sliced on a bias into 1/3″ thick slices
4 oz. goat cheese, room temperature

DIRECTIONS
In a food processor, combine all the ingredients except the olive oil. Using the pulse button, process until coarsely chopped and well blended. Continue to process, slowly adding the olive oil. Refrigerate in a covered container. Use as needed. Will keep up to 1 week, refrigerated, in a covered container.

Brush bread slices with olive oil, and broil for 1-2 minutes until golden. Spread with goat cheese, and top with a dollop of tapenade.