Bruschetta

Classical Italian tomatoes and cheese on toast starter / snack.

Quantities are for 4.

4 slices

15 ml

Zaytoun FAIRTRADE olive oil

cloves garlic

medium size tomatoes

200 gm

mozzarella cheese

to taste

salt

to taste

FAIRTRADE freshly ground black pepper

24 or more

fresh basil leaves

10 ml

balsamic vinegar

Use full flavour tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are fine, but up the quantity.

Home made bread has the best flavours.

(Greek) Feta cheese also works well.

Wash and chop the basil for sprinkling.

Skin the garlic.

Chop the tomatoes fine.

Dice the cheese small (2 to 3 mm cubes).

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 3 (165 °C; 325 °F).

Drizzle olive oil on both sides of the slices of bread and pop them in the oven on a baking tray.

Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Crush the garlic into a small saucepan and add a little olive oil and the balsamic vinegar.

Add the tomatoes and warm them through stirring frequently.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Put the toasty bread onto serving plates and spoon out the tomato mixture.

Sprinkle on the chopped basil and the cubed cheese.

Serve warm or chilled.

Omit the cheese for a vegan dish.