Bruschetta with a Kick

A very quick and easy appetizer that will leave your guests hungry for more. Warning! My recipe is quite garlicky, so feel free to reduce the garlic quantity in your mixture or simply use smaller cloves. The sun dried tomatoes adds a nice sweet and salty flavor and the cheese topping holds everything in place. The crushed red peppers will leave just a hint of heat, enough to tingle your tongue but will allow you to savor the other flavors.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 French baguette

4 roma tomatoes diced

1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes diced (packed in oil)

3 cloves minced garlic

1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup of fresh basil thinly cut

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 cup of mozzarella cheese thinly shredded

2 teaspoons crushed red peppers

garlic powder

extra virgin olive oil for toasting baguette

Directions:

1) Mix and combine the tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, basil, salt, pepper, and crushed red peppers. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

2) Cut the baguettes into 3/4" slices diagonally. Brush on some extra virgin olive oil on one side of the baguette and sprinkle on some garlic powder. Placed on a backing sheet, broil them in the oven for 2 minutes or until slightly brown. It doesn't take long for it to burn so keep an eye on it.

3) Flip the baguettes over so that the toasted side is now on the bottom. Brush some extra virgin olive oil on the other side and broil for 1 minute. This will make your bruschetta bites nice and toasty.

4) Now top your baguettes with the mixture and the mozzarella cheese. Place it on a bottom tray in your oven and broil for 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Let it cool for a minute and enjoy this addicting snack while it is warm.