Bruschetta

My Dad came to town for a visit. He has always grown tomatoes, and to my suprise he arrived carring a huge basket of home grown tomatoes from his garden. He had never heard of bruschetta before yesterday but says now that he can't wait to get home to make it! He claims "it's one of the best things I've ever eaten!" I don't know about all that, but it is a easy hors d'ourve that is sure to please a tomato lover.

Here is some interesting information from Wikipedia.org which may inspire you to twist this recipe into your own variation:

Bruschetta (Italian pronunciation: [brusˈketta] ( listen)) is a food the origin of which dates to at least the 15th century from central Italy. It consists of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Variations may include toppings of spicy red pepper, tomato, vegetables, beans, cured meat, and/or cheese; the most popular American recipe involves basil, fresh mozzarella, and tomato. Bruschetta is usually served as a snack or appetizer. In Italy, Bruschetta is often prepared using a brustolina grill. In Tuscany, bruschetta is called fettunta, meaning "oiled slice".[citation needed] In the Abruzzo region of Italy a variation of bruschetta called ventricina is served. Raw pork products and spices encased in pig vesicles are aged and the paste spread on open slices of bread which are sometimes grilled.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruschetta)

Here's my recipe:

Fresh tomatoes, diced (home grown if possible
Fresh Basil
Garlic
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt
Pepper
French Bread


Dice tomatoes into bite sized pieces, place in mixing bowl. Chop fresh basil and add to tomatoes. Add 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar, 1 clove of pressed garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine and let sit while you prepare the bread.

Slice the french bread into small circles. Place on a cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Broil on Lo to toast, remove from oven. Take a peeled clove of garlic and rub it across the toast pieces to infuse the garlic flavor. Place tomato mixture on top of toasts and serve!

You can add a bit of shredded Mozzarella cheese on top and put it back in the oven to melt the cheese for an extra touch.