Rustic Tomato and Basil Bruschetta with Aged Balsamic Drizzle

Ingredients

• 4 slices rustic Italian bread toasted
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes quartered
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chiffonade
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
• 1 clove garlic halved
• to taste sea salt
• to taste freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. 1 Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place the bread slices on a baking sheet.
2. 2 Toast the bread slices in the oven for about 5 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
3. 3 While the bread is toasting, combine the quartered cherry tomatoes and chiffonade basil in a bowl.
4. 4 Drizzle the tomato and basil mixture with extra virgin olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper. Toss gently to combine.
5. 5 Once the bread is toasted, remove from the oven and rub the surface of each slice with the cut side of the garlic clove.
6. 6 Top each slice of toasted bread with the tomato and basil mixture, ensuring even distribution.
7. 7 Finish by drizzling aged balsamic vinegar over each bruschetta.
8. 8 Serve immediately, allowing the flavors to meld and the bread to retain its crispness.