Super Shrimp and Garlic Bruschetta

Bergy's Note:

I created this today from ingredients that I had on hand to serve as my Sunday afternoon appetizer. It was so tasty (IMHO) that I decided to post the recipe., If you like a crisp bruschetta toast both sides of the bread. This appetizer went over well served with a Martini but I think you will enjoy it even without the Mart Mart!

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4

Yield: 8.0 Brusche ...

• 1 teaspoon olive oil (or spray a small skillet with olive oil)
• 6 ounces raw shrimp or 6 ounces prawns , chopped
• 3 garlic cloves , finely chopped'
• 2 medium mushrooms , minced
• 2 tablespoons onions , finely chopped
• salt and pepper
• 4 tablespoons cream cheese , plain or flavored (I used garden vegetable lite)
• 6 drops hot sauce (more or less to suit your taste)
• salt and pepper
• 8 slices cheddar cheese, pieces (enough to cover each bruschetta, I used aged) or 8 slices of your favorite cheese (Neerdammer is excellent)
• 8 slices baguette , 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick
• olive oil , enough to lightly paint one side of the bread slices

Directions:

1. Lightly paint one side of the bread slices with oil and place under the broiler, oil side up and lightly brown the bread- remove from oven (you may do this the day before and keep them fresh in a sealed tin).
2. On an oiled skillet saute the garlic, onions & mushrooms until almost golden- add chopped shrimp and saute for about 2 minutes or until the shrimp meat is just cooked (do not over cook).
3. Add hot sauce & season with salt & pepper.
4. Add cream cheese and mix well, cover & store in fridge until just before serving, have it at room temp when you are ready to spread the mixture on the bread slices.
5. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
6. 10 minutes before you want to serve evenly spread the shrimp mixture on the unbaked side of the bread, take it out to the edges.
7. Cover with the thin slices of cheddar.
8. Place on baking sheet or a pizza stone and bake at 375 degrees F for apprx 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
9. Serve warm or hot.

Reviews

[KeyWee]

This is positively ToDieFor!! One day, I swear I am going to make this whole recipe and eat them ALL myself!! As it was, I tripled this recipe for a party and got exactly one appetizer - boohoo! I made this recipe exactly as posted (except for the triple order) but left out the mushrooms as DH doesn't care for them. Also, I grilled the bread slices on my gas grill the day before the party and made up the spread the day before, too. So easy to spread and then pop into the oven when guests arrive. Thanks a ton, Bergy, this is a definite keeper, and everyone wanted the recipe, too!

[~Nimz~]

Bergy this was wonderful. I also made a triple batch of this. I followed your directions to the T except I put cheddar on half of them and parmasain on the other half. Both were wonderful. This came as an appitizer to Alaskan King Crab leg dinner

[Dawnab]

I was reccomending this to someone and realised I never reviewed it. I made it for the xmas party at my house last year. I made the bread and topping ahead and kept broiling a few at a time as the evening progressed. A very pretty appy too!