Better Bruschetta

I have been on a bruschetta kick for the last few months. After sampling some at a couple of restaurants, I've come up with a favorite recipe that combines my favorites.

Ricotta Mix:

3/4 c. Ricotta
2 large fresh basil leaves finely chopped
1/2 lemon zested
2 Tbs. heavy whipping cream

Whip all ingredients together with a hand mixer until smooth.
A Microplane Zester makes easy work of the lemon.

Tomato Mix:

1/2 pkg. Cherub cherry tomatoes (finely diced)
3 large fresh basil leaves finely sliced
2 cloves garlic finely sliced
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine tomatoes with basil, garlic and olive oil. It can be used immediately, but it is better to allow to marinate 30 or more minutes to get a fuller flavor. I use a garlic slicer to speed slicing the garlic.

Bread and Garnish
Sliced baguette brushed with olive oil
Thinly sliced Parmesan Cheese

Brush bread with olive oil and toast bread either in oven or toaster oven. Spread with ricotta mix and top with tomato mixture. Garnish with Parmesan Cheese Serve immediately.

July Product PIcks

Products We Love - July

The Microplane Zester (top) and

the Toby Tea-Boy are my top picks

this month.

Microplane Zester
The kitchen gadges listed this month are two new purchases that we simply can't live without. The Microplane Zester is always in the dishwasher, so that's proof that either we never run the dishwasher or we're using it all the time. I first read about it in Good Housekeeping magazine and I am firmly convinced this is a must have kitchen gadget.
It makes the fluffiest, freshly grated Parmesan cheese you've ever eaten. It also comes in handy when you burn toast or a grilled cheese (not that I've even done this) to scrape off the burned part so you're family will still eat the stuff.
I bought my zester at a kitchen outlet, but you can find them online at Amazon.com
Toby Tea-Boy
For those of you who know me, I am a tea afficianado. I love loose, black and oolong teas, but hate the nasty tea leaves floating in my cup. I've tried dozens of gadgets, but all of them fail to keep the tea leaves out of my drink. That is until I found my Tea-Boy.
This gadget from tea-lover central (England) is plastic and has a nylon mesh lining. It snaps shut tightly and keeps 100 percent of the tea leaves where they belong--in the infuser. You can get individual or teapot size models.
I bought my first one in a hardware store in New Holland, PA and liked it so much that I had to get another (which was a good thing since the first one took a suicidal jump into the garbage disposal.) I was panicked that I'd never find another one. But never fear, you can get everything online!
Share your posts on these products when you try them!