Bruschetta with Roasted Garlic

1 Loaf French Bread
4 Tbs Olive Oil
1 Onion, small
6 Tomatoes, plum - seeded and chopped (about 2 cups)
1/4 C Black Olives - pitted & chopped
5 Tbs Basil, fresh - finely chopped (about 2 Tbs chopped)
1 Tbs Garlic, roasted* - finely chopped
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
1/4 C Grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese

Preheat oven broiler. Cut bread diagonally into 24 slices. Place the slices on a single layer on a large baking sheet. Place 2 Tbs. olive oil in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush (or any small, clean brush), brush olive oil onto both sides of each slice of bread. Broil bread slices 4-5 inches from heat until they are slightly toasted, about 1 minute on each side. Remove from oven and set aside.

In a small skillet, heat remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add onion - sauté until just softened, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, olives, 3 Tbs. basil, roasted garlic*, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring until heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Top each slice of bread with 2 Tbs. tomato mixture. Sprinkle each slice with grated cheese. Return bruschetta to the broiler. Broil until the cheese begins to melt, about 2 minutes. Garnish bruschetta with remaining chopped basil. Serve immediately.

*Roasted Garlic: To roast a head of garlic, cut off the top third and drizzle with olive oil. Wrap in foil and roast at 400oF until golden brown, about 1 hour. Alternately, you can chop up the fresh garlic cloves and place them on a cookie sheet lined with foil, brush with olive oil, and roast until brown - this will take much less time.

Makes approx. 24 bruschetta


Comments: Due to time constraints, I could not make the above recipe for the holiday dinner party. However, I did serve some Bruschetta, but it was the pre-made kind. I chose the above recipe as one that I like and would have made for the party. Personally, I like a little bit of grated mozzarella on my Bruschetta. If you want to prepare the Bruschetta ahead of time, you can follow the above steps - stopping just before adding the cheese. Place the Bruschetta in an airtight container or wrap tightly in foil, then freeze or refrigerate. The day you want to serve them, let thaw to room temperature if frozen. Then sprinkle the cheese on, and broil for about 3 or 4 minutes, or until cheese is melted.