Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

Description

Ah bruschetta, one of the best ways to enjoy the bounty of summer. Pronounced "brusketta", this classic Italian appetizer is a perfect way to capture the flavors of garden-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil. Think of it as summer on toast!

My friend Dee showed me how to make it years ago, and it couldn't be easier to prepare. It's just a mixture of chopped tomatoes, balsamic, basil, and garlic, spooned over olive-oil brushed slices of toasted baguette or rustic bread.

It's perfect for a party because you can make a large batch of the topping ahead of time, as well as toasting baguette slices. Either bring out a bowl of the bruschetta topping for people to put on their own toasts, or do it for them right before serving.

Ingredients

• 6 to 7 ripe tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced or chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt, more or less to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more or less to taste
• 1 baguette, French bread, or similar Italian bread
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Steps

1. Blanch and peel the tomatoes
2. Preheat the oven
3. Chop tomatoes, toss them with garlic, olive oil, vinegar basil, salt and pepper
4. Toast the baguette slices
5. Serve toasted bread with tomato mixture