Crostini - Berry in Love 托斯提尼開胃小點 - 愛上莓莓

I'm a people person, love to make friends too. But, I always feel excited and worry at the same time when I attend to social parties. I will expect the coming party, so I get a good reason to shop and dress up nicely, wear my favorite necklace and earrings, then put on a pair of sexy shoes. It does cost some little troubles, but my heart will be jumping for the joy. I probably would see some relatives, old friends, coworkers when we arrived to the party. Of course we will meet more new friends to share that great conversation with laughters. What a nice thing to do! Don't even mention the great party always includes the good food. Who doesn't like that! That's how we start our lives happy memories, isn't it !!!

I am a strict, sensitive, and sharp person. I don't really do too much sweet talks, and worry that I might hurt someone feelings then bring myself some troubles. All my close friends all know I am a very enthusiastic person and love to help. I get high in the party, and worry about parties atmosphere, love to introduce the same interest friends get together, share the lives. Therefore, talking to the strangers on the social meetings or parties is kind of challenging for me. I use lots of courageous and wisdom to face it !!! My hubby who doesn't like to attend to any parties, but he loves to remind me, " If I won't attend to the party then I will become their topic, and won't get any new informations. He is right!!! Especially when I was new in America. If I was shy, wouldn't join to the social meeting. How could I extend my life. I would never ever have these many chances to learn and get into American cultures. Because of these reasons, I must be brave and keep stepping forward, so I could enjoy my life more, right?

In fact, I am a very indoor person. Love the small gathering. Enjoy to get together with single family in my house, or meet 2-3 friends. I could put my heart there and cook for them a great meal, or have a nice hang out in a nice restaurant. We could talk about anything high from sky, lower to the ground. Express our true thoughts, care for each other. This is kind of part that I preferred.

Taiwanese has amazing full of table plates service in the party culture, but it could be stress out the host. Taiwanese loves to invite friends bottom up when they drink. I am often afraid and feel so hard to refuse with their great kindness. I like the American party style, delicate appetites, have wine tasting or boozed, attractive entree, few side dishes. Then, let the sweet dessert finish the party and keep those beautiful memories. Guests and hosts all enjoy it !!!

Strawberry in love's idea came from the Italian appetizer crostini. The original ingredient was the tomato slices. Winter in NJ it seems longer. Tomatoes are kind of expensive and almost the same price as meat. Plus my hubby and kids never liked the uncooked tomatoes, so I switch to the strawberries. Strawberries acidity and sweetness are even more detailed, which also includes that fruity aroma. When I host the family party. I would remind my husband open a bottle of wine, pour in glasses when guests has arrived. I would deliver these appetizer, let the conversation gradually start. No harsh rush to taste the real life.

Cooking time: 25 minutes.

Ingredients:

1. 1 Italian bread, cut it in 45 degree angle about less than 1 inch thickness.

2. Fresh Mozzarella cheese, slices it 1/2 inch thickness.

3. 1 cup of Romaine lettuce slices.

4. Basil.

5. 1-2 cloves of garlic, skinned.

6. 12 strawberry rinsed and halved.

Seasoning:

1. 2 tablespoons of good quality balsamic vinegar.

2. 1 tablespoons of raspberry or strawberry jam.

3. Black peppers.

4. Olive oil.

Preheat oven 375F.

Mix balsamic vinegar with raspberry jam and black peppers become a thick salad dressing. Adjust your own taste too !!!

Brush the olive oil on both sides of breads, or you could drizzle the oil on a baking sheet with the parchment paper on it. Then, dig in to apply the oil into the bread, Toast about 8-10 minutes till get crunch, depends the thickness of bread. Turn to other side during half way of toasting. Take it out when it's done, use the clove of garlic rubs on two sides of toasted bread.

Simple arrange everything together. Place the basil leaves first, then romaine lettuce. Put on the fresh Mozzarella cheese, and strawberry. Drizzle the mixed dressing.

Bread are crunch, sweet and sour from the balsamic vinegar and the raspberry jam. Soft and tender, lightly salty Mozzarella cheese, whole mouth surrounding with the fragrance from basil.

This is a lovely appetizer will touch your heart. It's also finger licking good! Love needs to be manerged with a great heart, life taste better when you take it slow. Therefore you will really experience truly feelings. We could watch the people's lives up and down in the great party, and learn something from them. But the small party is betting on the true love. Just go for it and make some happy memories.

我是平易近人的, 也喜歡交朋友. 但是對於盛大的宴會或是社交總是有些期待又些許擔憂. 我期待那參加歡樂宴會的開始. 有了理由買件漂亮的衣服, 可以盛裝打扮自己, 配上喜愛的項鍊耳環, 再穿上一雙性感的鞋. 雖然有些麻煩, 但心情是雀躍的. 到了宴會場合後, 我見著的可能是親戚, 老朋友, 工作夥伴. 當然也遇見了更多的新朋友一起笑談風聲, 也是雅事一椿! 更何況每個宴會上大多少不了的美食, 誰不喜歡呢？人生中有許多快樂的回憶不就是這麼開始的嗎？

我擔心的是, 我一直是個直爽敏鋭的人. 我不是很會說場面話. 深怕一不小心就說錯了話, 得罪了人. 熟識我的朋友都知道我是雞婆熱心的, 不僅是宴會場上的人來瘋, 更是怕冷場的人. 還喜歡把興趣相投的朋友凑在一起, 一起分享人生. 因此在於參加社交的宴會上和不熟悉的人打交道, 其實對我來說是需要很多勇氣和智慧去面對的. 我家老公自己不愛這樣的社交場合, 但卻常鼓勵我參加. 他總是說, " 如果我不參加這些宴會. 那麼我就失去了新資訊的來源, 而缺席的人也即將成為宴會中的話題." 老公的話是對的! 尤其是來了美國這新的環境, 我如果害羞不出現於這些社交的派對上. 那怎能拓展自己的生活圈, 在人生當中有更多的學習機會與成長, 進入美國的文化呢？所以我必須勇敢的走出去, 才能享受人生, 是吧!

事實上, 我是位大宅女. 徧好小型聚會的. 和單一個家庭相聚, 或是會會二三個好友. 我可以全心投入的為我在意的人做頓飯, 或在餐廳裏相聚. 彼此可以聊天話地, 表達內心真切的關懷. 這樣人與人之間簡單的交心是我喜歡的聚會方式.

臺灣人的聚會方式那滿桌的佳肴雖然驚豔, 但可折騰主人了. 邀酒的文化更令我這位小女子感到盛情難卻, 心生惶恐. 我喜歡美國人的聚會方式, 經緻的前菜小品, 隨意的品酒,

吸引人的主菜, 兩樣的簡單的配菜. 然後讓出色的甜點留下美好的回憶, 賓主皆能盡歡.

愛上草莓的想法來自於義大利前菜的作法和用料. 原本的食材是蕃茄. 紐澤西的冬季特別長, 蕃茄和肉幾乎是同價. 加上老公和孩子也都不愛吃生蕃茄. 換上草莓之後它的酸甜度更細腻, 還多了果香風味. 家宴時, 我會交待老公, 朋友入門後, 老公開瓶酒, 盛上杯. 我會上前菜, 讓話匣子慢慢開啟. 不熅不燥的品味人生.

準備時間10分鐘, 烘烤時間8-10分鐘, 配置時間3分鐘.

材料:

1. 一條義式麵包, 45度斜切, 約2公分厚左右.

2. 新鮮的馬薩瑞拉起司, 切片約1公分厚.

3. 1 杯的生菜葉切絲.

4. 羅勒葉.

5. 1-2 顆大蒜剝去皮.

6. 12草莓洗淨, 去蒂頭, 切半.

調味料:

1. 2 大匙品質好的義大利巴蕯米克醋.

2. 1 大匙的小紅莓或草莓果醬.

3. 黑楜椒.

4. 橄欖油.

烤箱預熱375F.

將義大利巴蕯米克醋, 果醬, 和黑胡椒依自己喜好的口味調成有點濃稠度的沙拉醬汁.

麵包兩邊刷上橄欖油, 或是直接把橄欖油倒在鋪上烘焙紙上烤盤上, 用麵包直接沾勻雙面. 大約烤8-10分鐘, 因不同的麵包結構和厚度有所不同. 中途翻面烤至二面金黃酥脆. 然後取出, 採用蒜頭直到塗抹上麵包的兩面.

簡單的將這些食材一層層的擺上去, 先下羅勒, 然後生菜絲, 擺上新鮮的馬薩瑞拉起司, 草莓. 淋上調和而成的沙拉醬汁.

酥脆的麵包, 酸甜的紅莓和義大利巴蕯米克醋醬汁, 柔軟清𥇦, 淡淡鹹味的的馬薩瑞拉起司, 滿嘴裏環繞的羅勒香氣. 這是道令人心動的前菜, 更是吮指回味的好味道 ! 愛要用心經營, 生活要慢慢品嚐. 心才懂其箇中滋味!!! 我們可以在大宴會看人生繁華起伏, 學經驗. 然而, 小派對下注的是一份真感情. 去吧! 為人生寫下一些開心的回憶!