Name: Italian bruschetta with spring toppings
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: Italian bruschetta; 1 loaf ciabatta, sliced into 10-12 slices; olive oil; 1 garlic clove, halved; Raclette and peppers; 1 red capsicum, thinly sliced; 2 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon apple cider, Spanish or white wine vinegar; 5 slice hard cheese (Parmesan or pecorino are good); 1/4 onion, sliced into very thin slivers (optional); Broad bean and feta smash; 1/2 cup broad beans, podded and skinned; 1 small handful of flat leaf parsley, chopped; 2 tablespoon lemon juice; 3 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and pinch of white pepper; 150 gram sheep or goat feta

Italian bruschetta with spring toppings

For a quick snack or party food, it doesn’t get much easier than Nici Wickes' bruschetta recipe. Try with delicious toppings of raclette and peppers or feta and beans for a sophisticated bite to eat

Ingredients

Italian bruschetta

1 loaf ciabatta, sliced into 10-12 slices

olive oil

1 garlic clove, halved

Raclette and peppers

1 red capsicum, thinly sliced

2 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon apple cider, Spanish or white wine vinegar

5 slice hard cheese (Parmesan or pecorino are good)

1/4 onion, sliced into very thin slivers (optional)

Broad bean and feta smash

1/2 cup broad beans, podded and skinned

1 small handful of flat leaf parsley, chopped

2 tablespoon lemon juice

3 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon sea salt and pinch of white pepper

150 gram sheep or goat feta

Method

Italian bruschetta

1.To make the bruschetta, brush each bread slice with olive oil and rub with the cut side of the garlic clove. Grill or pan-fry until the crust begins to blacken in places. Turn and repeat.

Raclette and pepper

2.Sauté peppers in oil until they begin to soften, then add a splash of vinegar. Cover and steam the peppers until they wilt – about 2 minutes. Pour into a bowl.

3.Wipe the frypan clean. Add the cheese slices and cook until melted but not bubbling.

4.Top the bruschetta with the peppers and cheese. Garnish with onion and serve.

Broad bean and feta smash

5.Mash all the ingredients, except feta, together with a masher or fork. Crumble in the feta and stir. Season to taste.

6.Top bruschetta with a generous tablespoon of smash and serve.

Nici Wickes

A published cookbook author, entertainer, broadcaster, food stylist, recipe developer and food editor Nici Wickes is all about no-fuss, confidence-building cooking.