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Spectacular, Spectacular: Grilled Bruschetta with Slow Roasted Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Basil, and Shrimp

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September 17, 2012

Recipe:Grilled Bruschetta with Slow Roasted Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Basil, and Shrimp

This past weekend my Uncle Daniel took us on a boating adventure up to the San Juan Islands. It is truly breathtakingly beautiful up there, with vistas you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the States. We boated, we kayaked, we laughed, and of course, we ate. Happily bobbing along on the Moon Dance II, a handmade wooden craft by the renowned Sam Devlin, we enjoyed cooking up feasts in the boat’s galley, aptly named the Moon Dance Diner for all the impressive creations Daniel whipped up there.

Slow Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

A little pre-trip prep…slow roasting the tomatoes.

Day 17 of no buying groceries, coupled with boat friendly cuisine made this one a little tricky, but no less spectacular. The robust and bright flavors of the slow roasted tomatoes come to life when paired against the sizzling buffalo mozzarella. Basil freshly picked from the garden just the day before provides a welcome depth, and when topped with one impeccable grilled shrimp helps elevate an otherwise generally standard antipasto to an elite affair.

Mt. Baker in the distance.

The gents determining where the afternoon kayak should go.

Sunset at Sucia Island up in the San Juans.

We may have briefly lost a kayak, but it resulted in a midnight paddle where the phosphorescent were absolutely extraordinary, lighting up the water as we paddled through its stillness.

A cup of coffee, a morning kayak ride, and returning to Daniel cooking up omelets in the Moon Dance Diner. Doesn’t get better than this.

Grilled Bruschetta Topped with Buffalo Mozzarella, Slow Roasted Tomatoes, Chopped Basil, and Grilled Shrimp

Serves 4 as an appetizer, 2 as a main course.

Grilled Bruschetta Topped with Buffalo Mozzarella, Slow Roasted Tomatoes, Chopped Basil, and Grilled Shrimp

  • 2 Ciabatta loaves, cut in half
  • 1 TB butter
  • 4 slices buffalo mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup basil, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup slow-roasted-tomatoes, room temperature (I’m loving the Smitten Kitchen recipe, right now)
  • 8 jumbo shrimp, raw and tail on, tossed in 1 TB Olive Oil
  1. Preheat grill.
  2. Using either a grill pan or skewers, cook the shrimp until pink and cooked through. About 2 minutes a side. Once done, set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, butter ciabatta loaves and grill until nicely marked, buttered side down, about 5 minutes
  4. Remove ciabatta and top with mozzarella over grill marks. Return to grill and cook until mozzarella melted, about 5 minutes.
  5. Cut loaves in half and top with basil, slow roasted tomatoes, and shrimp.
  6. Enjoy!

32 comments »

  1. Des says:

    This looks sooooooo good! I have a weakness (read: addiction) when it comes to buffalo mozzarella. Can you believe I have lived in the NW all my life and have never been to the San Juans? I should remedy that. 🙂

  2. Sounds like a totally fantastic trip. Love the photos. As well, I love to roast tomatoes. The sweet, concentrated flavors are so good. Lots you can do with a batch of them. You are a lucky girl!

    • Yes indeed Sally…the “we’re so lucky” exclamations were a frequent and often addition to the trip. I actually just pulled out another two trays of roasted tomatoes from my oven…we’re up to our eyeballs in tomatoes right now, so this is a nice way to stretch out their life.

  3. I share your buffalo mozzarella weakness (addiction) so not to worry there! And don’t beat yourself up r.e never having been to the San Juans…I’d been here for 7 years and up until this April had never gone myself. I highly recommend it though…if you want any tips on where to go, just let me know!

  4. Keisha says:

    The bruschetta looks amazing! The photos from your trip are breath taking. I hope to take a trip like that one day and just be able to take in those beautiful views.

  5. Maman says:

    Thrilled you saw the phosphorescents again. Imagine, buffalo mozzarella, shrimp, loving family and magnificent wooden boat all on one sparkly adventure! Don’t we love adventures!
    This recipe is a keeper, thanks.

  6. Having leftovers for lunch I would agree…it has earned “keeper” status.

    And yes indeed…Don’t we Like Adventures!

  7. Wow, how beautiful! I want to take that trip!!! and a gorgeous yet simple app – love it 🙂

  8. Hannah says:

    Stunning views, a wooden boat, your beautiful bruschetta (I can’t get enough of roasted tomatoes) – what an amazing family time!

  9. I’m putting roasted tomatoes on everything lately Hannah! I suppose part of the reason is because I just keep making more b/c I don’t know what else to do with the bounty from my fridge. They are like candy!

  10. Karista says:

    What fantastic pictures of one of the most beautiful places on earth. And how fun! I’m with Alyssa, I want to take that trip.

  11. Karista says:

    Oh, and love that app!

  12. This looks incredible!!!!!!!!!!!! I love ANY kind of crostini and ummmmmm yeah, I’m totally making this ASAP.

    xo
    Nicole : Hourglass&Bloom

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