Best Smoky Caprese Bread Bowl Recipes

BRUSCHETTA DIP IN AN ITALIAN BREAD BOWL

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, fennel and eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Add 1/4 cup water and cook, stirring, until the water is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the olives and vinegar. Let cool about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Using a small serrated knife, hollow out the bread loaf, leaving a 1/2-inch-thick shell. Slice the cut-out bread into pieces and arrange on a baking sheet; drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until slightly toasted, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Stir the basil and cheese into the vegetable mixture; season with salt and pepper. Fill the loaf with the dip and top with more cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with the toasted bread and crackers and/or crudites.

SMOKY CAPRESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• If your ciabatta rolls are very bready, pick out a little of the crumb. Put the rolls on a baking pan and bake until warm and crisp on the outside, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a small grill pan or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Toss the red onion in 1 tablespoon of the oil and sprinkle with a little salt, then grill, turning occasionally, until slightly softened and charred in spots, about 6 minutes.
• Stir together the basil, smoked almonds, crushed red pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl.
• Arrange the bottom halves of the ciabatta rolls on a work surface. Drizzle with a little olive oil, then arrange the tomatoes on top; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Next, top evenly with the onions, followed by the almond mixture. Lay the mozzarella on top; sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with a little more olive oil. Top with the arugula and serve immediately.

BRIE-AND-CRANBERRY STUFFED BREAD BOWL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Bring the sugar and orange juice to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and cook until the sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Stir in the cranberries and 1 teaspoon rosemary and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has thickened and reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet and refrigerate until cooled, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, center the wheel of Brie on top of the bread boule. Using the Brie as a guide, trace a circle a little larger than the wheel of cheese with a paring knife and cut into the top of the bread and pull out the "plug". Trim and flatten it so it can be used as a lid for the bread bowl. Scoop out the insides of the bread boule, leaving about 1/2-inch of bread around the side.
• Starting halfway up the side of the bread boule, use a serrated knife to cut a 1/2-inch deep horizontal slit around the entire bread boule. Now, starting at the rim of the bread boule cut down about 3/4-inch deep to connect to the first horizontal cut. Repeat all around the rim of the bread, spacing these vertical cuts about 1-inch apart. Brush the inside of the bread with the butter and sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Reserve 1/4 cup of the cranberry sauce and spread the remaining sauce into the bottom of the bowl. Slice the top off the Brie and place into the bread on top of the cranberries. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Place the lid back on top and bake until the cheese is warm and gooey and the bread has turned a golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Transfer to a serving platter and remove the lid and top with the reserved cranberry sauce. Rip the pull-apart pieces off around the outer edge and dip. Toast the extra scooped out bread and serve as extra dippers on the side.

PANZANELLA BREAD BOWL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Hollow out the center of the ciabatta loaf to form a rectangular "bowl"; set aside. Cut the removed bread into 1-inch cubes; spread 2 cups of the bread on a rimmed baking sheet (reserve the rest for another use). Bake the bread cubes until lightly toasted, 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool.
• Combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, roasted red peppers, salami, prosciutto, soppressata, cheese and toasted bread cubes in a large bowl. Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, the oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and