Italian Tomato Bruschetta

By oakleyj

Pronounced broo-sket-ta, it is another preparation of Italian cuisine that has been adopted and modified the world over. In its basic form, it is a slice of grilled Italian bread, rubbed with garlic, sprinkled with salt and pepper and drizzled with olive oil. The bread was traditionally roasted on a brustolina grill. It is a wonderful accompaniment for red wine, as it brings out its flavor. These days the term bruschetta has come to signify garlic toast topped with diced tomatoes.

Ingredients

• •1 loaf crusty baguette
• •8 medium tomatoes, diced
• •½ red onion, diced
• •3 cloves of crushed garlic
• •¼ cup of fresh basil, finely chopped
• •½ cup balsamic vinegar
• •½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• •Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Step 1

1.In a large bowl, mix the chopped onions, tomatoes, garlic and basil.
2.Add the balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Then add salt and pepper to taste. Cover it and refrigerate it for at least an hour. This will allow the flavors soak and blend together.
3.Slice the baguette loaf diagonally, into thick slices. Now tightly toast the slices, till they are light brown on both sides.
4.Serve the chilled mixture on the warm slices of bread.