Quick & Easy Balsamic Bruschetta

Bruschettas are wonderful delicious appetizers and the fact that they just need a few minutes to prepare and assemble makes them even more delicious, don't they?? Usually, I chop the tomatoes and mix them with olive oil and basil leaves, season them with salt and pepper and serve them on toasted baguettes.

​I thought I'll do it a little differently today. I marinated the tomato slices in a mix of balsamic vinegar, oilive oil and some bruschetta seasoning I came up on my own. Then I topped it off with basil leaves and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.  

Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard dry cheese made from skimmed or partly skimmed cow's milk. It has a hard pale-golden rind and a straw-coloured interior but with a rich sharp flavor. They are aged at least for 2 years which results in their complex intense flavor. I found out that Parmigiano Reggiano is the original Parmesan Cheese. The Parmesan cheese we consume everyday is just an imitation of the original Parmigiano Reggiano and are only aged for 10 months. I realised after tasting some shaved Parmigiano Reggiano that nothing compares to its granular texture that melts in the mouth and I could taste the distinct aging in its flavor.  This was not obvious in our regular Parmesan Cheese.

​And did you know that there is something called Bruschetta Seasoning in the market? Having never come across such a seasoning before, my next best alternative will be to come up with my own, using what I had in my kitchen today and what is usually required for bruschettas. I used chilli flakes for a bit of spice, garlic granules and an Oregano, Basil and Tomato spice blend which I had bought long ago thinking I would definitely have a need for it someday. That day is today!!

​You can come up with your own Bruschetta Seasoning too - just ensure these essential ingredients :
Dehydrated tomato pieces,
Garlic powder/granules,
​Dried Basil and
​Chilli Flakes

Ingredients (For 4 Bruschetta Slices)
​4 slices of Ciabatta/Multi grain loaf
​1 and 1/2 red ripe tomatoes, sliced very thinly into 8 round pieces
2 tsp Oregano, Basil and Tomato (OBT) Spice Blend
1/2 tsp chilli flakes
1 tsp Garlic Granules
​1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 tbsp EVOO plus extra for drizzling at the end and for drizzling on toasts before assembling
6-8 Basil leaves, chopped
​1/2 cup shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
Salt & Pepper

Method
​1) Mix the seasonings together - OBT Spice Blend, Chilli Flakes, Garlic Granules, Balsamic Vinegar and EVOO.

2) Then, soak the sliced tomato pieces in them and let them marinate for 10 minutes. 

3) In the meantime, toast the ciabatta/multigrain loaf slices and drizzle EVOO over them. After 10 minutes, start assembling the marinated tomato slices over the toasts. 

4) This will be followed by the chopped basil leaves, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano and a drizzle of EVOO. Finish it up with a dash of pepper and salt. Serve as a quick appetizer or even with a warming soup of your choice. Best served warm. Enjoy!!