Bruschetta

 

 For yourself or for a party, this simple display is one of  my all time favorites.  It uses the best of ingredients in the whole history of food: Cheese, bread, garlic, basil, tomatoes, olive oil and salt.  

Ingredients

• Sliced baugette, lightly toasted
• 1 lb. grape tomatoes, quartered and divided
• 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil, more for drizzling
• 4 cloves of garlic, divided
• 1/2 cup cheese of choice: fontinella, asiago, parmsesan, or manchego, shredded and divided
• Fresh basil, chopped chiffinade style or leave whole
• Balsamic vinegar
• salt & freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees and lightly toast baguette.
2. While it is still hot, using 2 cloves of  fresh garlic, rub garlic onto bread. Set aside to a serving platter.
3. Chop remaining 2 cloves of garlic.
4. On medium heat, in a small saute pan heat  1/4 cup olive oil and choped garlic.  Saute about 20 seconds and add 1/2 of the tomatoes, a sprinkle of cheese, salt and freshly ground pepper.  Set aside.    
5. Drizzle toasted bread with olive oil & drops of balsamic vinegar.
6. Top with remaining tomatoes, cheese and basil leaves.  
7. Sprinkle with more salt and freshly ground pepper.
8. Garnish platter with  warm oil and tomato mixture.