Sunday, February 8, 2009

Valentine's Day Appetizer -- Baked Caprese Salad

This recipe is courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 8 to 12 appetizer servings
Ingredients
1 loaf baguette, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices (about 30 to 36 slices)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 Roma tomatoes, sliced
1 1/4 pounds fresh mozzarella, sliced
1 bunch fresh basil leaves, stemmed
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Arrange the sliced baguette bread on a baking sheet. Brush with some of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake until the bread is pale golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven. Top each slice of bread with a slice of tomato and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top each slice of tomato with a slice of mozzarella and sprinkle with salt. Return the baking sheet to the oven until the cheese and tomato are warmed, about 5 minutes.
Arrange the toasts on a serving platter. Top each toast with a basil leaf. Using the brush, drizzle the remaining olive oil over the basil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve.

2 comments:

  1. Is this as good as the pesto?

    And is the basil leaf really necessary or is it just for looks?

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  2. Um Hello....I didn't know that you were famous....now I can tell all my friends that I have a fried who is a really famous Chef! YIPPEE! This blog is awesome. Now if I could just talk you into being the McRae Chef as well....boy my life would be set. Thanks for sharing your talent Keith.

    ReplyDelete