Fiery Summer Bruschetta with Zesty Olive Spread and Spicy Candied Bacon

Recipe courtesy Julie Merriman

Show: Episode:

Picture of Fiery Summer Bruschetta with Zesty Olive Spread and Spicy Candied Bacon Recipe Photo: Fiery Summer Bruschetta with Zesty Olive Spread and Spicy Candied Bacon Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
  • Rate This Recipe
  • Read 3 Reviews
Total Time:
40 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
20 min
Yield:
4 servings
Level:
Easy
x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please limit to 20 characters

Saving Recipe

Adding Recipe

Or Do Not Add

Success

This recipe was saved to your Folder_Name folder.

x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to save this recipe to your Recipe Box!!

25 Characters Max

Enter Time:

:
:

You can create up to five timers

Ingredients

Spicy Candied Bacon:

  • 8 slices thick cut bacon, halved
  • 1/4 cup good quality maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

Summer Salad:

  • 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 lime, zested and juiced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 fresh sweet white corn on cob, kernels removed and reserved
  • 1 mango, peeled, flesh removed and diced
  • 1/4 cup bocconcini, torn into pieces
  • 1/2 red onion, finely diced
  • 4 tablespoons chiffonade fresh basil leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bruschetta:

Zesty Olive Spread:

  • 1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
  • 1 red jalapeno, seeded and coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup pitted black cerignola olives (can substitute black olives)
  • 1/2 cup manzanella olives
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • 1 shallot, coarsely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

Directions

For the bacon:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Put a baking rack over a parchment paper lined tray and arrange the bacon slices across the rack - do not overlap. In small bowl combine the syrup and cayenne and brush the bacon generously with the mixture. Put in the oven and bake until cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.

For the Summer Salad:

In a large bowl, add the vinegar, honey, Dijon and lime zest and juice and whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to make a dressing. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside until ready to use.

For the bruschetta:

In large saute pan, add the olive oil, cayenne and garlic. When the garlic has browned, remove it and discard. Add the bread slices, in batches if necessary, and cook until browned on both sides. You may need to add more olive oil to the pan if the bread soaks up too much. Remove to sheet tray and set aside until ready to plate the dish.

For the Zesty Olive Spread:

Add all the ingredients to a food processor and pulse until pureed and smooth. Check for seasoning and set aside until ready to use.

Assembly:

Put 2 pieces of bread on each plate. Spread the zesty olive spread on top of the bread. Lay 1 piece of bacon on each bread slice and top with the summer salad. Repeat with remaining bread and toppings.

Cook's Note: Inspired by the movie Julie and Julia - if you have seen it, you will know what scene I am talking about!!!!! This is meant as a light summer dinner! Knife and fork required!

A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs cannot make representation as to the results.

Print Recipe

Browse Reviews by Keywordnew!

Loading review filters...

COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

    

Sign in

All fields are required.

E-mail Address:

Password:

Remember me on this computer

Signing in

Please enter your email address and we will send your password

E-mail Address

Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

Not a member?

Sign up for My Food Network to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

It's free and easy.

Review This Recipe

You must be logged in to review this recipe.

Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 3 reviews

  • on October 06, 2012

    Flag

    OMG this is addictive beware!

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on August 01, 2010

    Flag

    I actually did not use the bacon and used peppered goat cheese and it was phenomenal. You may need a little less of the dressing for the summer salad or more salad. It seemed like the salad was swimming in the dressing.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on April 09, 2010

    Flag

    Saw this last weekend on Ultimate Recipe Showdown....a lot of ingredients but very very good. You can prep olive paste and summer salad and bacon ahead. Next time I will try w/ out putting maple syrup on bacon.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No

Next Recipe

Advertisement

What's Hot

Iron Chef America

Hosted by: Alton Brown

Free Recipe of the Day Newsletter

Let Food Network chefs plan what's for dinner, with quick and easy recipes delivered to your inbox daily.

Ads by Google

© 2013 Television Food Network G.P. All rights reserved.