With the warmer Summer months on deck, I am definitely starting to crave those summer classics, like the soul warming staple – Bruschetta. Fresh tomatoes with basil on bread – what’s not to love?! The thing is, tomatoes and bread have gotten a bad reputation over the last few years. Tomatoes can be considered an “inflammatory night shade” and bread has been dubbed the “gluten gut enemy”. While those may be true, there are ways to make any recipe work for you and support your body through its healing. The good news is, tomatoes are amazing for your liver and if they are organic – there is no real reason to avoid them unless they don’t make you feel well. Phew. And as far as bread is concerned – yes it should be gluten free, and yes it should be top quality. My favorites are GF Mario’s or Night Owl Baker Bread. If you haven’t tried either, I definitely recommend it! Do I recommend eating bread every day? No. Do I recommend having a piece here or there to satisfy a craving and live a little? Absolutely. Try this warm basil bruschetta as the perfect transitional food from Spring to Summer!
Ingredients:
• GF bread of choice – toasted!
• 3 diced bell peppers (2 red, 1 yellow)
• 1 pint of organic cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp Himalayan salt
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• 1/3 cup organic lemon juice
• 1 tbsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 large peeled, and seeded cucumber cut into cubes.
Instructions:
- Heat the lemon juice on medium heat in a large wok
- Once the lemon juice starts to simmer, add the bell peppers and tomatoes into the work and gently combine.
- Sauté the peppers and tomatoes in the lemon juice for about 7 minutes, or until the vegetables soften. These vegetables have a high-water content, so they will release a lot of water in the cooking process. This is why no oil is necessary here.
- Sprinkle in the nutritional yeast, balsamic vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Combine and gently sauté for 2 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and add in the fresh basil leaves. Do not chop the basil, stir them in whole.
- With the heat off, add in the cucumbers, and stir.
- Taste test: option to add more salt or lemon.
- Top your GF bread with your warm bruschetta! (or enjoy this in a butter lettuce cup)
Optional: Drizzle each piece with cold pressed olive oil.
Serve as an appetizer or alongside a fresh green salad.
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