Mango and Sweet Pepper Bruschetta

 

When you think bruschetta you probably think “tomatoes”, right?

Well, there are NO tomatoes in this tasty summer bruschetta.  Say whaaat?

This recipe was created out of a recent dinner dilemma.  I was making pasta with a tomato sauce (shocker, I know!) and I also wanted to make bruschetta.  But the thought of that many tomatoes in one meal didn’t sit well with me, so I started to think a bit more creatively. 

For some reason “mango” popped into my head, then I googled “mango bruschetta” to see if there were any recipes like this.  Do you do that too? When you get a cooking idea check to see if anyone else has done it? I figure if there’s a recipe out there for it then it can’t be too bad…

…and I was right!

I sort of adapted this recipe from several I saw online and I LOVE the way it turned out.

 

Mango and Sweet Pepper Bruschetta

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 4 minutes

1 French or Italian baguette (I used whole grain)

2 Mangoes, diced

1 Sweet pepper (red, yellow, or orange), diced

3/4 cup-1 cup fresh basil, chopped (or to taste)

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

Dash of honey

Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Kosher salt to taste

 

1. Dice mango, sweet pepper, garlic, and chop the basil.  Place ingredients in a bowl.

*If you’re having trouble with the mango, here’s how I cut it:

 

2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, and honey.

 

3. Whisk briskly, then add to the mango and pepper mixture.

 

4. Add fresh ground black pepper to taste, and stir.

 

5. Turn your oven’s broiler to “high.”  Meanwhile, take your baguette, use whole grain or wheat if possible, and slice it on the diagonal into 1 inch thick pieces.

 

6. Lightly brush olive oil onto one side of the bread, and sprinkle on a pinch of kosher salt.

 

7. Place the bread under the broiler.  Approximately 2 minutes for the first side, and 1 minute for the second side.  The bread should be nicely toasted, not burnt.

 

8. While bread is still warm spoon the mango and pepper mixture on top.  Garnish with more basil, if desired.

 

8.  Take a big bite and enjoy!  You can do this two ways:

The refined way with a knife and fork…

 

…or the oh-my-gosh-I’m-so-hungry-cause-I-haven’t-eaten-lunch-must-have-giant-bite way.

 

It’s up to you