Easy Bruschetta

Ingredients

Baguette bread, diagonally sliced into 1/2-inch slices
Olive oil
Peeled garlic cloves
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Optional: 1/2 small shallot, finely chopped
10 cherry tomatoes, or 2 small tomatoes, chopped
6-8 leaves fresh basil (substitutes: 1/2 teaspoon dried basil or thyme)
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Lay baguette slices onto a baking pan lined with foil. Lightly drizzle each slice with olive oil and toast in an oven for about 5 minutes until slices are lightly golden and crusty all around. Rub the top face of toasted baguette slices with garlic just to flavor bread.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 part vinegar to 2 parts olive oil. For example, whisk together 2 teaspoons of vinegar with 4 teaspoons olive oil until thoroughly combined. Add chopped shallot into vinaigrette and whisk. Add enough chopped tomatoes so that all tomatoes are just lightly coated and not drowning in vinaigrette. Add chopped fresh basil if available. Otherwise, add dried basil or dried thyme instead. Add a small pinch of salt and ground black pepper to taste. Mix well.

Top garlic-rubbed baguette slices with a spoonful of tomato mixture. Serve bruschetta immediately.