I have to admit that summer is not my favorite season. I always tell my husband “summer Jayni is not a fun Jayni.” I just don’t thrive sweating in the heat and can’t take it too long. I’m not sure how I lived in Arizona for so long and now I’m figuring out the other side of heat..humidity. I am learning that humidity is a whole new ball game here in the midwest. You can usually find me inside with the AC during the summer with a cold diet coke in hand-unless my 4 year old drags me to the pool, which is usually daily nowadays.
One thing I do enjoy of summer is fresh tomatoes. I will take that all summer. Fresh tomatoes, basil and garlic made into fresh bruschetta makes summer worth it. I have been making this bruschetta for about the past 8 years and it has become a staple in our house (even not in summer with store bought tomatoes). It is perfect for so many settings. You can use it for:
- having company over and serving as an appetizer
- a snack during the day
- a picnic
- a wedding shower or baby shower
- taking a care package to a neighbor or friend
So many people have loved this recipe when I serve it and always end up asking for the recipe!
Fresh Bruschetta
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cloves garlic
Fresh tomatoes(you can use 1 pint of each red and yellow cheery tomatoes or you can use just fresh tomatoes from your garden diced..any work!)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
20 basil leaves
Salt to taste
Fresh baugette
Directions
Chop your garlic into minced pieces. Add two tablespoons olive oil into to a small pan over medium heat. Add in garlic and cook until lightly golden. Watch it closely!
Dice your tomatoes of choice and chop basil leaves. Add all garlic including the olive oil it was cooked in into the tomato and basil mixture. Add tablespoon of balsamic. Mix to combine.
Cut baguette into slices and toast. A few ways to toast your bread- You can add 4 tablespoons butter into a large skillet and melt then add your baguette in butter and flip when toasted. Also if you have a large griddle you can first spread softened butter to spread on each piece and toast or you can brush each slice with olive oil and toast in oven!
If you’re wanting to make this at home and transport it to an event or a friend here are some good ways to do it. Make your bruschetta mixture and add it to a mason jar. If you’re giving it as a gift/gift basket add a ribbon around your jar. For fresh toasted bread you can slice it prior to leaving your house and then toast it in the oven when you get to your location. If giving to a friend you can have it pre-sliced for them or make it pretty just as a whole loaf and let them toast it to their liking. Throw it all in a pretty basket add a note of how to assemble, include some hand towels and maybe some fresh flowers and you’ve got yourself a thoughtful gift!
Enjoy!