BRUSCHETTA

Bruschetta is one of Italy's most ancient culinary customs; one that is flourishing in contemporary cooking. In its simplest form it is freshly made bread, toasted, rubbed with garlic and, while hot, seasoned with coarse salt and extra virgin oil. It is traditionally eaten as a test of the new olive oil harvested each year, washed down with a young wine. Elaborations on this theme are eaten all over Italy (crostoni and crostini are variations in size), and this book gathers together a selection of over 100 recipes, old and new. These range from the fundamental Bruschetta al Pomodoro, with tomato, basil, olives and garlic, to a surprising variety of less obvious combinations.