Warm Cheesy Balsamic Bruschetta

Photo Credit: Health is Wealth Photos.

This is a very easy to prepare snack or appetizer in the Italian bruschetta style.  Freshly-picked basil straight from the garden gives it a heavenly aroma.

 

Adding the tomato mixture halfway through the toasting will preserve the freshness of the tomatoes while intensifying their flavour.  Consider using a variety of small summer tomatoes such as yellow or orange pear tomatoes and the remainder red cherry tomatoes in order to make this bruschetta as delightful to the eye as to the palette.     

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped apart
• 220 grams of marbled Cheddar cheese
• 1 large clove garlic, sliced finely
• 1/2 tbsps. balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsps. extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 thick slices of French loaf bread

Photo Credit: Health is Wealth Photos.

Photo Credit: Health is Wealth Photos.

 

 

Directions:

 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Slice the cherry tomatoes into quarters.
• Reserved some of the basil for garnish.
• In a small bowl, mix the cherry tomatoes, chopped basil, grated cheese, garlic and balsamic vinegar.  Add the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Stir the ingredients up, cover the bowl and chill.
• Place the three slices of French bread on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• Brush the top side of each slice of bread with olive oil, slice the Cheddar cheese into thick pieces and place on bread.
• Put the sheet of bread in the oven for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.
• Remove and place the tomato mixture evenly on each slice. Return to oven to toast for another 5 minutes.
• Remove and garnish with remaining basil.
• Serve immediately

Bon appétit! 

 

Photo Credit: Health is Wealth Photos.