I adore bruschetta! This classic Italian condiment is made with tomatoes, red onions, fresh garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper. You can whip up a fresh batch at home or buy it ready-made. My favorite brand is Cedar’s—their bruschetta is packed with flavor and beautifully balanced. It might not be available everywhere, but it’s worth seeking out! You can explore their full line of Mediterranean foods at http://www.cedarsfoods.com.

There are so many ways to enjoy bruschetta, and it’s surprisingly healthy too. I like to think of it as the Italian salsa—forgive me if that offends any purists, but it has a similar consistency and versatility. I love salsa too (don’t worry!), but the olive oil in bruschetta gives it an edge: it clings beautifully to crackers, bread, or veggies and blends effortlessly into dishes.

The deep, vibrant flavor complements everything from grilled meats to pasta to salads. And bonus—the USDA recommends a tablespoon of olive oil a day, and bruschetta is a downright delicious way to meet that goal!

Let’s start with the obvious one first.

Bruschetta Toast

This is the most common way to use Bruschetta, but certainly not the only way. In fact, Bruschetta got its start from Italian cooks adding chopped tomatoes, olive oil and basil to garlic bread. What a humble beginning. It should be used and appreciated more!

• Spread Bruschetta on top of sliced Italian bread or rolls.
• Add sliced mozzarella or your choice of cheese.
• Toast or broil in oven until bubbly.

Bruschetta Pizza

Take the above idea and make it bigger! Use a pre-made crust or flat bread instead of the bread or roll. Add meat or any other topping you like. Basically, you are using Bruschetta instead of pizza sauce. Add a salad and you have an entire dinner.

Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken and Mushrooms

(pictured above)

Combine sliced boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs with 2 or 3 containers of Bruschetta in a slow cooker. Place quartered mushrooms on top. Generously sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours. Don’t stir! Scoop the mushrooms/cheese into a bowl to serve as a side dish. Serve chicken over baked potatoes, pasta, or rice. A nice simple side salad or sliced cucumbers are amazing sides as well.

If you don’t like mushrooms, just put cheese on top of the chicken and Bruschetta. Or, you don’t have to add anything to the top. The choice is yours!

Spaghetti Sauce, Even Better!

Add some Bruschetta to your favorite spaghetti sauce. It will add an incredible amount of richness and depth.

Meat Topper

Top grilled or roasted chicken, pork, fish, steak, or tofu with warmed Bruschetta before serving. Add some cheese on top for even more flavor.

Potato Topper

Use Bruschetta on top of baked potatoes (sour cream or cheese optional).

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta, Rice or Quinoa

Add Bruschetta to pasta and grilled chicken (or any meat) for a quick healthy meal. Heat the Bruschetta up in the skillet after the meat is cooked. Toss into cooked pasta, rice or quinoa.

Mediterranean Eggs Benedict

Use Bruschetta on Eggs Benedict for an Italian twist. You can put it on top of the hollandaise sauce or instead of.

Bruschetta Scramble

Add Bruschetta to scrambled eggs, either in the raw eggs or on top when cooked (cheese optional). This goes great with crispy hashbrowns or home fries

However you use Bruschetta, it will be awesome! Once you taste it you will be hooked. Please share your ideas!

Click or tap on the picture to be taken to the Cedar’s Foods website.