| A few years ago while I was on holiday in Italy that I | | | | compare them to the ones you buy from the |
| first tasted Tomato Bruschettas and they were fab. | | | | Supermarket. |
| We were staying in the hills in Tuscany and there was | | | | Make a cross cut with a sharp knife at the top of the |
| this little town that we used to visit each evening. We | | | | tomatoes. Then place each of the tomatoes in a bowl |
| found a little restaurant with a balcony that looked over | | | | of boiling water and leave them for just a minute |
| the Italian countryside. So when I got back to the UK I | | | | before removing them. You will then need to remove |
| decided I would have to have a go and create my | | | | the skins. |
| own. | | | | Chop them roughly and leave them to cool to one side. |
| Tomato Bruschettas make a great starter to an Italian | | | | At this point you can add different flavourings. I |
| meal, and I have received many compliments from my | | | | suggest Basil or Oregano to the mixture. I am a great |
| friends and family. They are also a great snack that | | | | believer in growing my own herbs as well. I use an old |
| you can make at any time, and very quick and easy | | | | beer barrel cut in half that I got from the local garden |
| to prepare. | | | | centre. Like the tomatoes, the tastes of home grown |
| The ingredients you will need are: | | | | herbs are so much stronger than from the shop. I find I |
| * Ciabatta or French baton | | | | only need half the amount of herbs that I would |
| * Virgin olive oil | | | | normally need to use. |
| * A Garlic clove | | | | Take your Ciabatta or French baton and toast each |
| * Ripe Tomatoes | | | | slice under the grill or on a griddle if you fancy a stripy |
| * Fresh Basil/oregano | | | | effect. You then need to brush your toasted Ciabatta |
| * Salt and Pepper | | | | or baton with virgin olive oil and rub your cut garlic over |
| What will make these Bruschettas even better is if | | | | the surface of the toast. Place your tomato mixture on |
| you take the time to grow your own tomatoes. Home | | | | the Ciabatta or baton and season as appropriate. |
| grown tomatoes are brilliant particularly if you go and | | | | Good luck and I hope you enjoy this delicious simple |
| pick them from your own garden. They are so fresh | | | | and easy to prepare snack or starter. |
| and the taste is really delicious especially if you | | | | |