Description
A fresh and vibrant Italian appetizer featuring toasted baguette slices topped with a flavorful mix of cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, fresh basil, and a touch of balsamic vinegar. Perfect for entertaining or a light snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread & Oil
- 1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch thick pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
Topping
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare bread: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush each lightly with olive oil to ensure they toast evenly.
- Toast the bread: Place the baking sheet in the oven and toast the bread for 8–10 minutes until the slices are golden brown and crisp.
- Make the topping: While the bread is toasting, combine the quartered cherry tomatoes, finely diced red bell pepper, chopped fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Stir well to blend the flavors.
- Garlic rub: Once the bread slices are toasted, remove them from the oven and immediately rub the tops with the cut side of the halved garlic cloves to infuse a subtle garlic aroma.
- Assemble and serve: Spoon the tomato and pepper mixture on top of each toasted baguette slice. Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp bread and fresh topping at their best.
Notes
- You can prepare the tomato and pepper topping a few hours in advance to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
- For a spicy kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the tomato mixture.
