Bountiful Bruschetta!

I'm completing a clinical placement at a mental health service at the moment, and am really enjoying the experience. Unfortunately today was just one of those days. I seemed to roll out of the wrong side of the bed this morning, and the rest of the day just seemed to follow suit.

After collapsing on the couch when I got home, I decided that I would make myself something special for dinner to enjoy and unwind. I was craving something nice and fresh, and eventually chose bruschetta.

I started with frying some thinly sliced pancetta in a nice hot pan until crispy. I then set it aside to drain on paper towel and cool to room temperature. Complete the rest of the steps, and then chop the pancetta right at the end.

Next step: lightly grill bread (I had a Baker's Delight Vienna loaf in my freezer so made use of that). Cut a clove of garlic in half and rub gently on one side of each slice of bread while it is still warm. I had never used that technique of rubbing the bread with garlic, it's suprisingly effective, and thoroughly enjoyable as the garlic aroma emanates from the warm bread.

Mix together: diced tomato (seeds removed), finely chopped red onion, torn basil leaves, crumbled fetta (danish fetta is my favourite) and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Pile the tomato mixture on top of the garlicky bread slices, top with the cripsy pancetta, drizzle with some good quality extra virgin olive oil.

Ahhhh. Yum-licious.

Does anyone have a different bruschetta topping that they like to make? I would love to know!

Emma x.