Strawberry Bruschetta

There’s something that I want you to know.  Sometimes, I can be an absolute disaster in the kitchen. The first time I tried this recipe, it went off without a hitch. It’s a pretty darn easy recipe, so it should go off without a hitch. Every time. But sometimes there’s no explaining me in the kitchen.

When it was my turn to bring a snack to my monthly book club, I thought this summery strawberry bruschetta would be a perfect choice. It was quick and easy and I could whip it up after dinner in time for the 7 o’clock book club.

It was about 6:35 when I started making the bruschetta. It’s a neighborhood book club, so I only had to travel down the street. Plenty of time. Then, I burned my first batch of toast. Luckily, I had more bread. No sweat. Maybe I’ll be five minutes late, I thought. Keep going. Next, I burned my balsamic reduction and had to start over. It didn’t help that Meghan and Luke were chasing each other in circles around my legs, but still. I was more than five minutes late.

I tell you this so you know my tagline’s descriptor, “an everyday mom” is very true.  I want everyone who reads here to know that I’m just a regular mom trying to feed my family well and you can definitely do the same.  Probably with a little more grace than me.

While it took a little longer than it should have, I did make the bruschetta that night and everyone at the book club loved it. When I bring a dish to an event, I judge its success if anyone asks for the recipe. Three different ladies asked me for the recipe, so I called this one a winner.

If you need a quick, easy, and delicious appetizer for all your summer get-togethers, this is your recipe. My kitchen disaster aside, this really is an easy dish. And even better, it’s oh-so-delicious.

The flavors of the tangy goat cheese next to the strawberries covered in a balsamic reduction with fresh basil just work. Everything compliments each other and there’s a perfect balance. This will be my go-to appetizer anytime I need a dish to bring to gatherings this summer. It should be yours, too.

Strawberry Bruschetta

This light and summery appetizer is a fun twist on the classic bruschetta! It’s quick and easy to make and always a crowd pleaser.

• Author: Healthy Happy Mama
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 30 slices 1x
• Category: Appetiser
• Cuisine: American

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 baguette loaf, sliced (mine yielded about 30 slices)
• 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound strawberries, diced
• 1/2 cup basil leaves, cut into a chiffonade (stack the leaves, then roll the leaves, then slice the leaves)
• 4–5 ounces goat cheese, room temperature (spreadable goat cheese, not the crumbled kind)
• salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a small sauce pan, bring the balsamic vinegar to a simmer over medium high heat. Reduce the heat immediately and allow to low simmer for about 10 minutes, until it is reduced by about 1/3 and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the diced strawberries, vinegar reduction, and basil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
3. Meanwhile, brush your bread on both sides with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Using your oven’s broiler, lightly toast the bread, a minute or two per side. (Be careful not to burn it!)
4. Spread each slice of bread with some goat cheese. Top with a portion of the strawberry mixture. Enjoy!

Notes

Recipe adapted from here

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 57
• Sugar: 1.1g
• Sodium: 13.9mg
• Fat: 2.7g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Protein: 2.7g

Keywords: party food