Bunnies and Bruschetta

August 26, 2011


Good news, readers!

My herb garden is so bountiful this year that we’ve attracted four fluffy, big-eared, backyard residents!  They deem my cilantro and parsley the most delicious of all things. I’m so honored.

Mama always thought this was nuts.  “Why are you letting them eat all of your hard work?”

I’m not really sure, but I think it may have something to do with two brown-eyed girls who are so delighted to see them hopping and munching and doing bunny-cute things in the garden.

Plus, (much to my dismay) the girls have named the smallest and cutest of the bunnies. Meet Peanut Butter, readers.

Peanut Butter started the summer as a teeny little thing, but a few months of garden noshing have led to quite an impressive growth spurt.  Peanut Butter and pals are thriving. My parsley and cilantro are not.

Lucky for me, they don’t much care for basil, so I have a bumper crop this year. Pesto recipes are a-coming. Mucho pesto.

The girls’ enthusiasm for our hoppity backyard visitors makes me think that it’s worth some sacrificial cilantro.  It just is. I know, I’m getting soft.

On another note, it’s still hot as balls here! Yesterday we broke a record for this time of year: 98 degrees.  Our air conditioning, bessedly, still works, but we try not to over-use it, so oftentimes it’s about 78-82 degrees in this house, and that’s enough to make me wave the white flag where cooking is concerned.

My latest obsession? Bruschetta. And breakfast salads (so weird and I’ll post on that later, I promise). Bruschetta is the best when it’s blazing saddles outside.  All you need to do is grill some good bread, stick on some quality toppings and viola! Good to go.  We’ve been having lots of bruschetta lunches and dinners around here lately. I usually offer up two different kinds and call it good.

This particular recipe features peaches, which are so good right now. Well, they’re good in most parts of the country. Here? Not so much. Usually we get Palisade peaches in August, and they’re divine, but I haven’t been impressed with the harvest this year.  As a result, I opted to use nectarines, which are sweet and juicy and bursting with flavor at the moment.

The original recipe calls for peaches and ricotta cheese, but I had just been to Whole Foods and–luck be a lady!–got my hands on a ball of fresh burrata cheese, so I substituted. Boy, I wasn’t sorry.  Rich cheese, crunchy bread, juicy nectarine…mmm. Honey, prosciutto and coarsely ground black pepper add a sweet-salty depth, which makes this a darn near perfect nosh.

If you have the right ingredients, and they’re in season (which they are now, so hurry!), I can’t think of anything nicer. Paired with an icy cold glass of pinot grigio or rose, you’ll decide that hot, steamy summer can linger just a bit longer.

Peach, Prosciutto and Ricotta Bruschetta

adapted from Food Network Magazine

makes 12

12 slices crusty bread

olive oil, for drizzling

2 ripe peaches or nectarines, sliced

1 cup ricotta or burrata cheese

4-6 slices prosciutto, torn into feathery pieces

honey and cracked black pepper

basil, sliced thinly (optional)*

Drizzle slices of bread with olive oil and grill until char marks form. Let cool slightly. Spread bread with cheese; sprinkle pepper over.  Top with prosciutto. Drizzle with honey, top with a few slices of peach/nectarine and a few threads of chopped basil, if desired.

*the first few times I made this, I didn’t add any herbage. Then I decided to add basil, and I really liked the result. Mint would be brilliant, too.

I’ll be off the grid for a few days; a cherished friend is coming for a visit (barring hurricane assholery), and I’m looking forward to showing her all the delights that Boulder has to offer. Best wishes for a lovely weekend.

{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }

bryan August 26, 2011 at 5:18 am

Looks wonderful my friend! I love the sweet/savory mix you get with prosciutto and fresh fruit. The bunnies are cute!

Reply

Laura August 26, 2011 at 5:42 am

Bunnies are evil!

Reply

Katybeth August 26, 2011 at 9:31 am

ARE NOT!! :-)

Reply

The Curious Cat August 26, 2011 at 7:01 am

I love the sound of this recipe! Lush! And love the little bunnies! :) xxx

Reply

Erica@PLRH August 26, 2011 at 7:27 am

Oh gosh, I want to eat that RIGHT NOW!

Reply

Justine August 26, 2011 at 8:51 am

We had burrata at a restaurant last week, simply served with olive oil and sea salt, to be spread on grilled ciabatta. It was lovely.

I love a good bruschetta myself, except I’ve not had the chance to hit the farmer’s market much this year so I’ve not been able to take advantage of the summer’s bounty. I’m not sure what it is about this summer – maybe it’s the crappy cool and thunderstormy weather, and I spent much of it cuddling with a newborn (a.k.a. being lazy) – but I’m so not with it on so many things.

It’s already the end of August, perhaps there’s still time for some bruschetta. It sure does look divine.

Reply

Phoo-d August 26, 2011 at 8:56 am

We had bunnies in the garden this year too but they met with an unfortunate when Mr. B got a new pellet gun. This recipe looks gorgeous! I’m so jealous of your burrata!

Reply

Katybeth August 26, 2011 at 9:31 am

Love bunnies! Peanut Butter is adorable. Best of all they are Mother Natures responsibility. Perfect pet.
Bruschetta looks so good! I am making Peach, Prosciutto and Ricotta Bruschetta this weekend!! Thank you ♥

Reply

Stephane August 26, 2011 at 10:09 am

You *are* a wily one: letting drop with a provocative one-liner like “And breakfast salads,” and then promising to post more later! Yup, I’ll be waiting. ; )

Reply

Mary Lee August 26, 2011 at 3:19 pm

They eat cilantro, too???? NO WONDER I can’t find mine! It’s Bunnysboro around here. Like yours, my basil really flourished. The rabbits don’t seem to be big on oregano and thyme either, but they do have a taste for chives and yes, my parsley is history.

Since I have a bunny bumper crop and your girls love them, which would you prefer–my front yard bunnies or the back yard bunch? I’m giving you first choice and sending the rest to Katybeth.

Reply

TKW August 27, 2011 at 5:13 am

Mary Lee,

Back yard, of course! There’s already a party going on out there!

Reply

Amber August 26, 2011 at 3:54 pm

Oh this sounds divine! Yes on the Pinot grigio and bruschetta for us.

Reply

kristin @ going country August 26, 2011 at 4:24 pm

Don’t tell your girls that we’re thinking of raising meat rabbits next year. Or, um, don’t tell yourself, either, if that kind of thing upsets you.

Reply

TKW August 27, 2011 at 5:14 am

Kristin,

Mama had rabbits growing up, and she could never eat dinner on the nights when one of them “disappeared.”

Reply

SuziCate August 26, 2011 at 4:33 pm

Bunnies are cute but they are heck on the garden! Hope the hurricane doesn’t mess up your weekend plans with your friend.

Reply

Amy @ Never-True Tales August 26, 2011 at 4:55 pm

At least bunnies are cuter than a hoard of locusts, right? Look at me, looking at the bright side. Love the look of that dinner! (And I am now officially intrigued by breakfast salad.)

Reply

TKW August 27, 2011 at 5:15 am

Eww, locusts! I’m really glad we only get crickets and grasshoppers here.

Reply

Biz August 26, 2011 at 5:48 pm

The bunnies and dear ate all our bounty before we did – after three years of trying, I just gave up!

Love that they named him peanut butter though! Here’s hoping the weather won’t get in the way of your get together – hugs!

Reply

Meister @ The Nervous Cook August 27, 2011 at 8:59 am

You call one of the bunnies “Peanut Butter?” My heart just melted.

My sister’s got buns in her backyard, too, but she hates them; I like your POV much better. (Plus, I can just imagine your girls’ eyes lighting up every time one hops by. What’s a little cilantro in the face of a megawatt kiddo smile, right?)

Reply

Maria August 28, 2011 at 1:06 pm

Anything that cute, furry and named Peanut Butter should be allowed to nosh on your herbs.

The bruschetta looks divine…(sigh)…why don’t you live closer??

Reply

anon August 28, 2011 at 6:10 pm

Dear TKW
I love you to death. I’ve been wanting to say this for awhile. Do you think it is possible to have one pain-free post? This one came close, very close, to the TKW I fell in love with. Applause.

with love,
anon.

Reply

TKW August 29, 2011 at 5:13 am

Anon,

Thanks for weighing in! It’s true, there’s been more pain than usual this summer, and I apologize if it makes you uncomfortable. Maybe I should warn readers by putting “pain” in the tags? I think I just might do that; that way, if it’s not something they want to read, people can bypass it. Genius. See what good feedback does?

For more pain-free, I suggest you check out the post titled Lessons. No pain there, I promise.

Reply

Heather August 28, 2011 at 7:33 pm

simply put… drooling…

And, if someone would get up early and grill the bread FOR me I would SOOOOO eat this for breakfast!!!

Reply

faemom August 28, 2011 at 11:55 pm

That sounds amazing. Which reminds me: Why have I been cooking when it’s 108 out? Bruschetta and sandwiches for the rest of the summer!

Reply

TKW August 29, 2011 at 5:14 am

Fae,

108? Holy Bejeezus. Run to the bread aisle–now!

Reply

Liz August 29, 2011 at 2:59 am

Hey there girl…finally starting to catch up on my readin’ and much to my delight…this one only requires grilling bread. I can do that. And I love me some bruschetta. Had to laugh at the “hot as balls” reference (which I see will also be in a post as I work my way backwards little by little)…that’s one of Hubby’s favorite sayings and every once in a while, I say it…aloud…in public…at work…with girls…you name it…and I get these WEIRD looks.

Reply

Belinda August 29, 2011 at 3:57 pm

Ahh, you’re such a good momma keeping Peanut Butter and pals well fed. What a beautiful heart you have. Son and I have been reading The Velveteen Rabbit so I couldn’t help but love this post.

And this recipe sounds a helluva lot better than my son’s watermelon sandwich on baguette for breakfast.

Reply

Danielle August 29, 2011 at 4:39 pm

well… I did have a pet bunny-rabbit when I was little… but my husband’s brother also used to raise rabbits for food… so I’m just not sure how I feel about them. =]

Reply

Jane August 29, 2011 at 6:24 pm

I’m positively swimming in mint and basil — I may have to add them both. Sounds delish!

Alas, we have a dog. So bunny sitings are rare here…..but we have them. Every few days we spot their droppings. ;)

Reply

Salad in a Jar August 30, 2011 at 10:08 am

“herbage”???? Great word. Will try to use everyday for the rest of the week. My herbage is needing a good trim before all the flowers turn to seeds because I want to try this.

Reply

Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri August 30, 2011 at 12:17 pm

Bruschetta is my all-time fav. Anytime. Anyday.

Reply

Christine @ Coffees & Commutes August 30, 2011 at 12:19 pm

Hello my friend! I’ve missed you. Popping in for a quick visit while I have a moment to come up and breathe, and dreaming of those peaches (and also the pesto) that you speak of. Odd combo, but both so wonderful. I recently enjoyed the sweetest peach of my life whilst on a trip to Atlanta for work. Holy jumbo sweetness!

Reply

camilla September 4, 2011 at 1:40 am

Never in a million years would I think of peaches on bruschetta and after reading your post I really want to eat some…an excellent idea and your photos are really inviting. I’m liking your eating habits of late ;) (sorry it just takes me a bit of time to get on to read them…I’m always behind these days!)

Reply

Mary Poppins in Heels September 6, 2011 at 7:58 pm

I love your little Peanut Butter, and I love that you named him Peanut Butter!!!! SO adorable. We have a wonderful garden, too, and, though I’d rather have my garden to myself, we never begrudge anyone a nibble. It’s outside and so are they, so it’s all fair game, right? You, TKW, are the best, and that you get the whole bunny/garden thing proves it! (That, and the fact that you can insert a good “fuck” where and when needed, of course.)

Reply

Web 2.0 July 14, 2012 at 11:54 am

Ovb2ci Appreciate you sharing, great post.Thanks Again. Cool.

Reply

my homepage July 14, 2012 at 6:31 pm

AXHFA AXHFA AXHFA 186025 AXHFA

Reply

Zebra Zoologist July 16, 2012 at 5:36 pm

nice page you should write a weekly newsletter :)

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: