Friday, September 5, 2014

Cherry Tomato, Herb and Smoked Gouda Bruschetta


Here is such a delicious and interesting twist on the well-loved appetizer, bruschetta.  Browsing through Food and Wine recently, I came upon this 'salsa' recipe which I decided would make delicious version of bruschetta.  The recipe incorporates smoked Gouda cheese. Since Gouda is a mild cheese, you'll hardly know it's there as it doesn't overpower the tomatoes, it just gives the recipe a rich, full flavor!  The first time I ever used smoked gouda in a recipe was this eggplant parmigiana and the results were delicious!


I know fresh tomato season is over for some of you, but I have quite an abundance right now. We've been enjoying many of our favorites, such as BLATs (Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado and Tomato Sandwiches), fresh tomato pasta and tomato salads lately :)  I will be harvesting the last of the tomatoes in the next couple of weeks and I plan on enjoying them as much as possible! My herb pots are still supplying me with all the fresh herbs I need for hopefully another month also.


For my husband and myself, this could easily be dinner.  For the two of us, I lightly toasted the baguette slices in the toaster and then brushed them with extra-virgin olive oil and a few grinds of fresh pepper.  For more servings, it would be best to toast them in the oven on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and pepper before toasting in the oven.


If you still have fresh tomatoes or access to a farmers' market, I hope you give these a try! DE-licious!


Cherry Tomato, Herb and Smoked Gouda Bruschetta


2 cups mixed yellow and red cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup finely diced smoked Gouda, or any mild, smoked cheese (2 1/2 ounces)
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons shredded basil
2 tablespoons snipped chives
Salt and freshly ground pepper

A French Baguette, sliced on the diagonal into 1/4 to 1/2" slices Extra Virgin Olive Oil for brushing on bread slices Freshly ground pepper

Preheat oven to 350 (or use your toaster, set on low).

In a medium bowl, toss the tomatoes with the cheese, parsley, basil and chives. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and set aside.

To toast the baguette slices:

If toasting the bread slices in the oven, place them on a baking sheet.  Brush lightly with olive oil and give each a sprinkle of ground black pepper.  Toast in the preheated oven for about 5-6 minutes.  Watch carefully, you don't want them hard - just a light golden color.  This will make them easier to bite into without the toasts breaking in your mouth.  If you are making a smaller amount and use a toaster, also watch carefully for the same reason.  Brush toaster-made slices with olive oil right after coming out of the toaster and sprinkle with a little ground black pepper. 
Top toasted baguette slices with the tomato, herb and cheese mixture and enjoy immediately!

65 comments:

  1. This look beautiful! I love brushettas Susan!
    xo

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  2. We have about another three weeks for tomatoes and I keep searching for ways to serve them. A platter of these and a glass of wine would be perfect.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  3. Yummy! Susan I love this , great combination and flavor, I can eat this all the time and it is very easy to make..

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  4. Susan, I've spent days 'slaving' over a hot stove making tomato sauce. But I've refused to turn the oven on all summer (Where's the logic in that?)

    Yet, I'm suddenly being coerced by the power of Bruschetta.

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    1. :-) If I run out of things to make, tomato sauce will be on my agenda soon also!

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  5. How pretty and delicious. Blessings, Catherine

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  6. I would have loved a few of these after work tonight Susan! Pretty pics too:@)

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  7. Yes - pass a plate of those my way and I will make it dinner also! LOL Pretty mosaic!
    Enjoy your weekend!

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  8. Now they look like they belong in an art gallery - but I'd be happy to put them in my stomach.

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  9. love the flavors in this and great picture

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  10. I have a counter filled with lovely tomatoes, and we love Bruschetta and make it often. This sounds wonderful!

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    1. The absence of garlic and addition of the smoked Gouda makes such a deliciously different taste. We love it and hope you do too!

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    2. Sometimes I can do without the garlic on my breath! This will be a nice change.

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  11. I just harvested some of the black tomatoes :-) These bruschetta look really inviting!

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    1. Isn't it such a wonderful feeling to be able to pick your own tomatoes? Love it!

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  12. they look so beautiful and I always think Bruschetta is such a fab way to eat tomatoes and get the best out of their flavour... I must say though, that plate is STUNNING!!!

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  13. How gorgeous. This bruschetta would definitely make dinner for us. I am a summer girl and I never, ever tire of tomatoes. We've eaten probably more than our share of BLT's this year.
    Sam

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    1. We eat lots of tomatoes too, Sam. When I don't have my own tomatoes (which is most of the year) I buy the cluster tomatoes on the vine.

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  14. This is a lovely way to enjoy all those tomatoes coming in right now! I love the smoked gouda - yum!

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  15. Good morning Susan! Love the Bruschetta, I make this a lot this time of year too but love is all the time. Last ting I do is drizzle a little olive oil over the Bruschetta too before serving :)

    Did you see my site redesign and recent post!
    http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/blog/

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  16. Blue and yellow:) Love that combo..
    And this salsa ..I have smoked mozza..wonder if?
    Dinner for me too..!
    I spy your beautiful handiwork :)

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    1. I'm sure smoked mozzarella would be delicious, M! Yes, almost time to get out the cool weather crafts again :-/

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  17. Looks colorful & really good Susan and I like the use of smoked Gouda

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  18. Bruschetta is one of my favorite appetizer! Lovely photos Susan, have a great weekend, warm hugs !

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  19. Looks really delicious! I love bruschetta! And using homegrown tomatoes makes it all the more special!

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  20. Outstanding photos, Susan! Bruschetta makes a great afternoon snack, I have found...

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  21. Sadly my tomatoes are almost gone! A sign that summer is ending! Your tomatoes are beautiful Love this combination and Smoked Gouda is one of my favorite cheeses. Beautiful bruschetta!

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    1. It won't be long before mine are also gone, Julie. Very sad!

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  22. Thank you for this! I accidentally planted a cherry tomato plant this year. It was mislabeled and it went into the ground an Early Girl imposter. With that said, I have lots of beautiful little cherry tomatoes that I need to use. This sounds delicious, pinned.

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  23. What a gorgeous bruschetta, the gouda must have really made a difference :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  24. That looks stunning on the Juliska plate, Susan! I've been wanting an all-white plate for photos, will be looking at my local Juliska outlet soon!
    Got so hung up on the plate, don't want you to think I don't love the combo on your bruschetta! Delish!

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    1. It's not Juliska, Barbara. Found them at Marshalls about 5 years ago :) Quite a bit less expensive than Juliska!

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  25. Bruschetta is a wonderful way to enjoy the delicious flavors of tomatoes and I like the idea of using smoked gouda. I'm going to hate to pick the last tomato off my vines but it will be coming soon as summer is coming to an end.

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  26. Hi Susan, this could easily be dinner for us as well, beautiful recipe and pictures. Your garden and flower pics are wonderful.

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  27. Wow, this is a perfect thing to use up all my grape and yellow pear tomatoes. I love the addition of the smoked gouda. Any wonderful cheese is a wonderful addition!

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  28. I like smoked gouda cheese's flavor and never thought to use it in an eggplant parmigiana! I will check that recipe out. Your cherry tomatoes make a perfect salsa, Susan and it looks very delicious served over bruschetta!

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    1. It was so delicious with the smoked cheese, Pat. I hope you try it!

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  29. In my recent trip to Holland I got to try all the delicious dutch cheese including smokes gouda and they were just perfect! Beautiful bruschettas Susan and so appealing to the eye!

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    1. Smoked Gouda in Holland must have tasted so wonderful, Katerina!

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  30. OMGosh! This looks so good, and perfect timing, because I'm running over with cherry tomatoes. I'm definitely going to make this.

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  31. Mmm. I love all smoked cheeses, and I have a feeling this would be no exception! Such great crostini bites.

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  32. Wow we love bruschetta and your photos are so STUNNING!! We have so much tomatoes- can't wait to make some! xxoo

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  33. wow! it looks insanely good! I'd die to taste it!

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  34. OMG Susan! These bruschetta look so pretty, I love the color and the flavors...and yes, I could have this as a dinner too!
    Enjoy your week :D

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