Croutons with confit cherry tomatoes, stracchino cheese, and eggplants. What can I say, they were too good and a huge hit, they were devoured.
They can be served as an appetizer or aperitif, and to be honest, we had them for dinner.
I had friends over for dinner, including a vegetarian, and looking in the fridge and pantry, I saw some beautiful whole grain bread loaves, but you can also use slices of rustic bread, it’s up to you.
Then in the fridge, there was fresh stracchino cheese, a bag of piccadilly cherry tomatoes that I adore, and two beautiful fresh eggplants, basil is never missing on my terrace since I keep pots of it.
So I decided to put the halved cherry tomatoes in the oven and make them confit.
I also put the eggplants in the oven.
We wondered how something so simple could be so satisfying.
These rustic preparations are great for lunch or dinner, instead of the usual first and second courses. I bring a big cutting board to the table and it’s immediately a party, a joy for the eyes and the palate.
The croutons I prepared today are as simple as they are amazing, with just the right ingredients.
Try them and let me know…
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very economical
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 8 bread croutons
- Cooking methods: Electric oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 356.33 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 42.60 (g) of which sugars 15.08 (g)
- Proteins 16.05 (g)
- Fat 14.23 (g) of which saturated 0.71 (g)of which unsaturated 0.08 (g)
- Fibers 1.50 (g)
- Sodium 462.51 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 120 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for the Bread Croutons
- 4 whole grain bread (loaves)
- 500 to taste piccadilly tomatoes (cherry or grape tomatoes)
- 2 eggplants
- to taste sugar
- 300 g stracchino cheese (or stracciatella, burrata)
- to taste salt
- pepper
- to taste extra virgin olive oil
- oregano
- to taste thyme (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic
Tools
- Baking tray
- Cutting board
- Baking paper
- Oven dish
Steps for Bread and Cherry Tomato Croutons
To prepare the confit cherry tomatoes, first wash them well and cut them in half. Arrange them on a baking tray lined with baking paper, cut side up.
Arrange them neatly, then season with salt and pepper.
Add thyme and oregano by rubbing them with your hands. Also, add the unpeeled garlic cloves.
Sprinkle with sugar and drizzle oil over the entire tray.
Bake in a preheated static oven at 130°F for 2 hours.
Once they are well wilted, take them out of the oven.
The confit cherry tomatoes are ready.
Wash the eggplants, prick them with a fork, and cut them in half vertically.
Place them in a non-stick baking tray. You can roast the eggplants in the oven at 356°F for 35-45 minutes, or grill them.
Once tepid, peel them and scoop out the flesh.
Still by hand, tear the eggplant flesh into thin strips.
Season the eggplants with oil, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
Divide the bread loaves. Drizzle the bread with a bit of extra virgin olive oil.
Place them under the preheated oven grill and toast on both sides.
(I used whole grain bread loaves, but rustic bread slices work too).
Remove from the oven and spread stracchino cheese on each slice; Be generous with the stracchino, which will start to melt with the heat, and it will taste amazing.
(I had stracchino, but you can also use stracciatella or burrata, as per your taste).
Finally, distribute the confit cherry tomatoes and eggplant strips.
A light sprinkle of oregano or fresh basil and serve immediately.
You will find it delicious.
Enjoy your meal.
Tips
Confit tomatoes can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days by placing them in an airtight container.
They are also great for pasta.
They are also great for pasta.
If you liked this recipe, click on lots of stars, thank you so much.
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FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Here are some alternatives?
What can I use other than stracchino
You can use stracciatella, burrata, buffalo mozzarella.
Do I have to use whole grain bread
Any bread will do. Rolls or slices of rustic bread or bruschetta slices.
What type of cherry tomatoes are needed
Grape or cherry tomatoes, or piccadilly.
Does the bread have to be toasted in the oven
You can also use a grill on the stove or electric.
