Bruschetta and Stuffed Mushrooms

Okay, so this last week I was wracking my brain trying to think of a good recipe for appetizers I could take to a party we were invited to go to (which was last night) and in the end we couldn't even go!  The little guy was sick and had gotten me sick, and now the husband is sick too.  Ick.  Anyway, in our depression in not being able to go, I decided to make the appetizers anyway so we could sort of have a mini party at home. They turned out really good, so here I am to post the recipes for what I made. Luckily, I did actually remember to take photos this time before it got all consumed.   My sister in law had come to babysit our son for us, and ended up babysitting anyway so the husband and I could get out for a bit.  Since she was here, she got to try stuff with us, and gave her stamp of approval. :)

Bruschetta

1 baguette, plain or roasted garlic, sliced

about 2 tbsp olive oil

2 cloves minced garlic

4-5 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced fine

salt and pepper

1/2 tsp prepared pesto (homemade or store bought. Costco has a really good one)

parmesan cheese for topping

balsamic vinegar syrup for drizzling (recipe follows)

balsamic syrup

1/4 to 1/2 c balsamic vinegar

1-2 tsp sugar

Put balsamic vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan, and stir to combine well.  Over low heat reduce down til moderately thick and syrupy (like when honey is warmed and slightly liquefied). Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

On a baking sheet place slices of bread.  In a small bowl combine olive oil with minced garlic and zap in microwave for 30 seconds. Helps the garlic to seep into the oil and flavor it.  Brush the garlic oil on to the bread slices, and then put into a 350 degree oven for 7 minutes.

While the bread is toasting, mix together tomatoes, pesto, and salt and pepper to taste.  Set aside.

When bread is done toasting, top with tomato mixture (bruschetta), and parmesan cheese.  Return to oven for another 5-7 minutes.  Just to warm the tomatoes and melt the cheese a bit.   

Drizzle each piece with balsamic syrup (just a little, makes it pretty and adds a sweet and tart flavor to the bruschetta.

Stuffed Mushrooms (posting again)

1 lb medium to large white mushrooms (Costco has big ones, they are great for this)

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

1-2 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper

1/3 to 1/2 c panko breadcrumbs

1/4 c parmesan cheese, plus more for topping

Remove stems from mushrooms and scoop out a bit of the inside to create a small bowl shape.  Place caps in a 9x13 pan, and the stems and other bits aside. Once you fill the pan (I had a few extra whole mushrooms that didn't fit), chop the remaining mushrooms and the stems and other bits finely, almost mincing them.  

In a medium skillet, heat olive oil, and then add chopped mushrooms and garlic and saute for a few minutes til they reduce to about half their volume.  Place them in a medium bowl and add panko, salt and pepper, and 1/4 of the parmesan cheese.  Stir all of this to combine well, so the breadcrumbs absorb any liquid from the sauteed mushroom mixture.

Fill caps with the chopped mushroom mixture, sprinkle with the extra parmesan, and bake in a 400 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese has browned a bit and the mushroom caps are tender.  Serve hot.