Mediterranean Shrimp Bruschetta on Toasted Garlic Italian Bread

Sometimes you just want the appetizer but that doesn’t always seem like enough.  I took this Italian appetizer and added a herbaceous shrimp topper to make it a very nice, easily made summer meal.  The garlic, fresh basil and lemon really make this one pop. If you do not have fresh oregano and parsley, you can use dried or dehydrated that you rehydrate. The basil needs to be fresh though. Dried basil won’t cut it for this one.

Don’t forget the breath mints!

Mediterranean Shrimp Bruschetta on Toasted Garlic Italian Bread

•  Italian bread – sliced ¼ inch thick
• Olive Oil
• Garlic (jarred minced)
• Fresh Basil: coarsely chopped – larger pieces
• Red Onion: finely chopped
• Red Tomatoes: cut into squared chunks
• Fresh Oregano: finely chopped
• Fresh Parsley: finely chopped
• Coarse black pepper to taste
• Salt to taste
• Shallots: finely sliced and chopped
• Large Gulf Shrimp – peel & deveined
• Mozzarella cheese – discs or balls cut in half
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice

1. Combine ¼ cup olive oil w/ a tablespoon of the garlic and a teaspoon of the garlic liquid in the jar.
2. Brush garlic olive oil mixture on both sides of bread slices
3. Toast bread in 350 degree oven until toasted, turn over to toast both sides.
4. Put 1/3 of the basil, oregano, parsley in reserve to use w/ Shrimp
5. Combine in a small bowl: garlic, shallots, onion, lemon zest, tomatoes, the remaining basil, oregano, parsley, salt and pepper
6. Toss olive oil into the mixture. Use just enough to coat the mixture.
7. Squeeze lemon juice over the mixture. Set mixture aside.
8. Pile herb/tomato mixture on each slice of bread
9. Place medallions of cheese on each slice atop the mixture
10. Place bread in oven under low broiler to melt cheese.
11. Heat Olive Oil to medium heat in a skillet
12. Add cleaned shrimp to medium hot skillet
13. Add reserved basil, oregano, parsley and add tablespoon minced garlic, salt and pepper – if necessary turn down heat to not scorch garlic
14. Stir and cook shrimp until pink and tender – remove from heat.
15. Add cooked shrimp atop the bread and toppings
16. If you have leftover herb mixture in the skillet, drizzle atop the shrimp
17. Squeeze lemon juice over bruschetta and serve immediately