Dip Bread, a traditional appetizer
Dip bread in extra virgin Olive Oil, fresh ground herbs and spices, or Modena balsamico, is an old country tradition and culinary art. Bread dipping has its origin from Europe, primarily the Mediterranean region. Italy and Greece have made it very popular because it is a simple, yet flavorful gourmet taste experience.
When hosting a family get-together, what is more boring than crackers and cheese for party appetizers? Sliced celery sticks and cubed cheese is not the most popular appetizer either. Consider fresh sliced, toasted, Italian bread with amazing, robust, bread dipping herbs and spices as an appetizer.
Turn the purchase of a fresh baked baguette loaf of bread into gourmet hors dourves. Begin with a special blend of Italian spices, then dress with gourmet extra virgin olive oil, and you have a savory appetizer that will be raved about by your guests.
A good bread dipping seasoning is extremely versatile. It can be used to garnish salads and pasta dressings, or sprinkle over steamed vegetables, roasts and chicken while cooking. The rich Italian flavors also make an outstanding addition to any marinade for beef and poultry.
Bread dipping can be made from scratch using flavored oils, added herbs and spices and quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar. One key to a good bread dipping recipe is re-hydrating the spice mixture. This is done by adding enough water to barely cover the spices in a shallow dish and allowing to stand for at least 15 minutes. Drain excess water off and add olive oil. The re-hydration will bring out the flavors of the spices as if they were freshly diced on your cutting board. Depending on your taste other condiments such as lemon juice, cracked pepper, grated parmesan can be added for additional flavor.
A bread dip appetizer will be as good as the olive oil that you select to add to it. It is recommended to purchase a quality extra virgin olive oil with balsamic vinegar as a variation. Gourmet olive oil adds an exquisite flavor to your bread dip mixture, especially when combined with fresh baked foccacia, baguette, or sourdough bread.
Fine oil and vinegar contribute an exquisite taste to fresh sliced bread. Both can be offered on the table in the same bread dipping dish. Balsamic vinegar will pool in the olive oil adding an artistic flair to the oil and vinegar presentation especially if you use a stylish American Porcelain Bread Dipping Dish. Prepare the bread by slicing the loaf at an angle along the loaf. These slices can be halved and offered on an hors dourves platter, along side bread dipping dishes.
A bread dipping recipe is quick and easy to prepare, and for a party it saves time and energy. Bread dipping is healthy and flavorsome, a unique taste experience, and one of the finer aspects of the Old World cuisine.
dip bread, bread dip appetizer, bread dipping recipe
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February 19th, 2008 08:57
There is an old Italian olive oil dip that is really simple to make. Pour a small portion of Italian extra virgin olive oil in a bread dipping dish, add some fresh ground peppercorns, (white, red, and black peppercorns work great). Then add a pinch of sea salt.
Serve and dip with fresh baked crusty bread. Its an old Tuscan taste you may enjoy.
February 25th, 2008 17:56
Appealing to the growing number of people trying to restrict their diets to healthy yet appetizing foods, the Mediterranean Diet is quickly gaining popularity. A freshly-baked loaf of bread, sliced and served in a bread dipping dish with balsamic vinegar and virgin olive oil is simple and easy to prepare, tastes great and complements the Mediterranean Diet well. The more creative can experiment with other herbs and spices to give their dish extra flavor.
Ciabatta, focaccia and sourdough breads make great bread dips and can all be found at nearby delis or bakeries. On those chilly nights in winter, few things are more satisfying than some freshly-baked French baguette bread, served warm from the oven.
April 1st, 2008 18:37
Dipping bread is truly a gourmet art. It can be bland or it can be an excellent starter for any meal. The key to bread dipping is really two ingredients. 1. the bread, it has to be flavorful and fresh baked. 2. the olive oil, it has to be premium quality and very pleasing to palate. Combine these two with salt, herbs, spices, and or vinegar, and you become the artisan. Enjoy.