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Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer or snack, consisting of bread rubbed with garlic and topped with chopped tomato, olive oil, salt and pepper. Outside of Italy, bruschetta has become a word used for toast topped with just about anything. The most popular is diced tomato with olive oil and mozzarella or other cheese.
Caprese salad, or “insalata Caprese” is another Italian antipasto, or appetizer. Created to resemble the colors of the Italian flag, red, white and green, it consists of thick slices of tomato, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves. Normally topped with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette.
Since these are two of my favorite Italian appetizers, I decided to combine them into one delicious bite. However, at the time I had no fresh mozzarella. Nor basil. Hence, the “mock-caprese”. However, you could use realistically any white cheese, and any fresh herb, and I’m sure it would be tasty.
Ingredients:
- 1 thick slice farmhouse bread (or other whole wheat slice)
- 1 fat, fresh Roma or beefsteak tomato
- 2 tbsp garlic & chive goat cheese (or 1 thick slice mozzarella)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
You could easily scale this up for a lovely party appetizer, or make as few as will satisfy a snacking crave.