Tomato And Basil Bruschetta

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 24
• 8 small ripe tomatoes
• 2 small garlic cloves, minced
• sea salt
• fresh ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 10 fresh basil leaves
• 1 baguette, 24 thin slices
• olive oil

Recipe

• 1 halve the tomatoes crosswise and gently squeeze out the seeds. use a small spoon to scoop out any remaining seeds. cut the tomato flesh into 1/4 inch dice, disgarding any tough, pale flesh near the core end. in a bowl, combine the tomatoes, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and olive oil. toss to coat evenly, adding a little more olive oil if the mixture appears dry. taste for seasoning and let stand for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour, allow the flavors to marry.
• 2 preheat the oven to 350°f stack the basil leaves in a neat pile and roll the pile into a cigar shape. thinly slice the "cigar" crosswise. add the basil to the tomato mixture and toss to combine.
• 3 arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush them lightly with olive oil. bake until golden, 10-15 minutes. let cool, then transfer to a serving platter and top each slice with 1 tablespoon of the tomato mixture. serve at once.