bruschetta

Roma, yellow pear and chocolate cherry tomatoes mixed with fresh basil, garlic, kosher salt and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Simple ingredients for a great tasting, fresh appetizer or even as the star of an effortless meal.

What you will need:

5 tomatoes (You can use any tomatoes you have on hand I just so happen to have some roma, yellow pear and chocolate cherry from my garden)
1/2 c. of loosely packed basil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt (more or less depending on your preference)
1 clove of garlic
Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil + more to brush on the bread before putting it under the broiler
1 baguette sliced on the diagonal

Rough chop the tomatoes and add them to your bowl
Sprinkle on the kosher salt
Use a garlic press for your garlic or chop very fine
Drizzle on the olive oil
Top with the basil after slicing it up finely
Gently mix all of the ingredients
Cover with plastic wrap and let stand a room temperature letting all the flavors meld for at least an hour.

Voila it's ready to serve and I promise you won't be disappointed.

This recipe typically calls for balsamic vinegar but I leave it out because I feel it takes away from the wonderful flavors of the basil & the garlic when paired with fresh garden tomatoes. It also calls for a baguette sliced and then brushed with either butter or olive oil and then either pan fried like french toast or a grilled cheese or you can put it under the broiler. Whatever your preference. If you're looking for a lighter, healthier version brush some olive oil on your bread and put it under the broiler for 60 seconds. Please watch your bread because a broiler can really do some damage to your goods if you're not paying close attention... or if you're like me and you have kids and dogs at your feet when you're trying to get a meal on the table and you forget that you even have bread under the broiler. I should have posted a picture of this lovely mixture on top of the bread but it all got eaten before I had a chance. One more thought this mixture can top a simple white pizza and really add some zing or even if you want bruschetta with a heavier meal consistency add some mozzarella cheese, melt it on the top (under the broiler) and then top it with this mixture. You won't be disappointed.