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Bruschetta may be best known as toast topped with diced tomatoes, but there are tons of creative variations out there, from lobster to Japanese eggplant. Let these six ideas be springboards for the next time you have friends over or just want a nibble.  Whatever your topping, start with toasted slices of baguette, brush them with a bit of olive oil and then rub the cut edge of a halved garlic clove on one side of each slice.

1. Italian Sandwich
Take the popular combination of melon and prosciutto and turn it into a mini open-faced sandwich: make sure the cantaloupe slices aren't too big, and tear the ham into equally bite-sized pieces. Top with a sprig of fresh mint or basil.

2. Sweet and Salty
Cook six slices of bacon, remove from pan and break into bits. Saute half an onion in the bacon fat until translucent. Add a splash each of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, maple syrup and brewed coffee to the pot. Stir the bacon back in and cook slowly until concentrated.

3. Mexican Minus the Tortillas
Saute a diced onion and green bell pepper until lightly caramelized. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp. salt. Add a diced sweet potato and a bit more olive oil, then roast in a 400° oven for 15 minutes. Stir in a cup of rinsed, drained black beans.


4. Light and Summery
Thinly slice pears. Drizzle some honey on top and sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs: lemon thyme, mint and lavender and lemon verbena all work well.

5. Breakfast at Cocktail Hour
Scramble eggs with any cheese and break the cooked eggs into pieces a little smaller than each slice of bread. Top with savory herbs like dill or basil and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan.

6. Bright and Brunch-Ready
Peel and dice kiwi, banana, apple; dice strawberries. Toss with a bit of sugar or agave nectar. Instead of brushing the bread with olive oil and garlic, spread it with butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.

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