One of my favourite cuisines has got to be Italian – I love how diverse the flavours can be and the multitude of dishes come from it. It’s when you eat with the family, it’s a seven course ordeal – and although you’re full up to your ears, you’re encourage to mange! mange! .

I’ve been really blessed to have an uncle who is Italian and has been cooking/taking us to great Italian eats in Toronto. It’s hard to find anything that duplicates the deliciousness here – but my uncle who always over orders (five course meals) then takes us to have a cannoli and cappuccino and then some gelato!

My aunt has taken up to cooking and baking Italian too. She passed down their uber secret recipes that were handed down through my uncle’s family for Tiramisu and Rum Cake (I’m still learning to perfect them both) – but when she makes them, it’s really to die for. I refuse to have tiramisu anywhere else!

I’d like to share some recipes over the next couple weeks that are very easy to make and (approved!) by my aunt to share.

First up will be a very easy appetizer to make – Bruschetta. It’s bread with fresh tomatoes, herbs and cheese and a cinch to make when you’re trying to impress your guests.

 

(From Flickr, Used Under Creative Commons License)

Bruschetta
Servings: 2-3 People

Bread (french is best, but anything is fine, even sliced bread)
1 Tomato
1 Onion (purple onion preferably but a cooking onion is fine)
4 cloves of garlic
Parmesan Cheese (grated)
Mozza Cheese (shredded)
Olive Oil
Parsley
Oregano
Butter

1) Preheat the oven to 325F.

2)Chop tomatoes, onions and 3 of the cloves of garlic and toss into a bowl. Saturate with olive oil. Add parsley and oregano.

3) Slice the bread into suitable sized pieces, if you can. Spread butter on each piece and sprinkle the rest of the chopped garlic on top.

4) Spoon the tomato/onion mix on the top of each slice and then add the cheeses on top.

5) Bake in oven until the cheese is melted.

Serve immediately! Enjoy!

(My uncle and my aunt, during my wedding)