Red Wedding Bruschetta

A 'Game of Thrones' Inspired Treat to Die For

In honor of the Red Wedding, we thought we'd fix an appetizer! (It's easier to remain calm during a blood bath if all you can think of is what you're going to snack on to feel better) Naturally, we thought of piles of tomato topped with cheese and fresh basil. So while you watch the season finale of Game of Thrones this week, munch on this delicious bruschetta with a spicy kick.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Bake time: 7 minutes

Makes 15-20 pieces

Ingredients:

6 Roma tomatoes

Fresh basil leaves

1 Baguette 

3 Cloves of garlic

¼ Cup extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

¾ tsp ground red pepper

½ tsp onion powder

1½ tsp salt

1 tsp Italian seasoning 

2 Cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Step 1: Chop tomatoes and put in a medium sized mixing bowl. Mince garlic and add it to the bowl. Add in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, red pepper, onion powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Stir until thoroughly mixed and let sit. Make sure to do this first so that the mixture has time to marinade.

Step 2: Set oven to broil. Slice the baguette into three-quarter inch slices and set on a baking sheet. Place in the oven for roughly two minutes or until the top of the bread pieces is light brown. Remove from oven.

Step 3: Evenly spoon the tomato mixture onto the bread pieces. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over each piece. Put back in the oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

Step 4: Chop fresh basil leaves and place them on top of the melted cheese. Serve immediately.

And that's it! Pretty simple for a tasty snack, appetizer, or healthy meal. If you have leftovers, pour them over lettuce for salad. 

Mother of Dragons! Guacamole

Sometimes you learn the hard way that walking through fire doesn't always turn eggs into dragons. It's disappointing but true. Even the mother of dragons had to learn this the hard way. 

The question is: what do you do with the egg? If you're anything like us, you turn it into delicious guacamole. Our guacamole recipe is fast, easy, and tastes excellent. Keeping it simple makes for a tastier guacamole that anyone can make. In no time at all you can turn that dud dragon egg into spicy dip that your whole army will envy. 

Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 avocados (squishy is better)
• 1 roma tomato
• 15 fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/2 - 1 (depending on how spicy you like it) medium-sized jalapeño
• Juice from two fresh limes
• Onion powder - ½ tsp
• Garlic salt – ½ tsp
• Table salt – ½ tsp
• Finely ground red pepper - ¼ tsp

Step 1: Don't peel the avocado. Simply start at the stem and cut all the way around the pit until it is sliced in half. Remove the pit. Cut the avocado into a grid while still in the peel and then squeeze each half into the a medium sized mixing bowl. Do this to all three avocados.

Step 2: Chop the roma tomato and add it to the bowl.

Step 3: Finely chop or tear the cilantro leaves and put them in the bowl.

Step 4: Very finely chop the jalapeño (either half or whole, depending on level of spice you want). Make sure to chop it into very small pieces (you don't want to take a bite with a big piece of jalapeño in it). Add to the bowl.

Step 5: Add all spices to the mix. Add lime juice.

Step 6: Don't stir this with a spoon. Take the knife you used to chop the ingredients and cut through the mixture. Cut all the way through the mixture until the larger pieces of avocado are chopped and then stir using the knife. This will keep the guacamole from becoming too mushy when you stir. The guac will taste better if it’s not too finely mashed. If you cut through the mixture, it will leave pieces of avocado - which provides a much nicer taste and texture.

Step 7: Taste it. Add salt or lime juice as needed. Serve with corn chips. Or if you want a healthier and tasty option, try sweet potato chips instead.

Enjoy your dip, and next week we'll show you how to make a spicy chicken to go along with your guacamole.