Tomato and Basil Bruschetta

Ingredients

• 1 loaf wheat bread
• 4 medium tomatoes
• 0.5 cup basil
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) for toasting the bread.
2. 2Slice the whole grain baguette diagonally into 1/2 inch thick pieces.
3. 3Brush each bread slice with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and place them on a baking tray.
4. 4Toast the bread in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
5. 5Dice the ripe tomatoes and finely chop the basil leaves.
6. 6Mince the garlic clove.
7. 7In a bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, chopped basil, minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
8. 8Mix gently to combine without crushing the tomatoes.
9. 9Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
10. 10Spoon the tomato mixture generously onto the toasted bread slices.
11. 11Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp texture of the bread with the flavorful topping.
12. 12Garnish with additional basil leaves if desired.