Oven-Dried Tomato Bruschetta

One of my favorite appetizers is this Double Tomato Bruschetta. It combines fresh and sun-dried tomatoes with the usual bruschetta ingredients and is topped with mozzarella cheese prior to baking. When I had some leftover Oven-Dried Tomatoes in the fridge, I decided to turn them into bruschetta.  The result was amazing!  We served it with Parmesan Basil Orzo and Grilled Shrimp.  Delicious!

Oven-Dried Tomato Bruschetta

Ingredients:
~2 cups Oven-Dried Tomatoes
1 clove minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup fresh basil, stems removed
Salt and pepper to taste
1 French baguette
shredded mozzarella cheese (depends on the number of bruschetta you make, approx. 2 cups for a full loaf of bread)

 Directions:
Preheat oven on broiler setting.

1. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.

 2. Meanwhile, cut the baguette into 3/4-inch slices. On a jelly roll pan covered in foil, drizzle olive oil and spread evenly with a pastry brush. Place the baguette slices on top, then drizzled them with olive oil and spread evenly with a pastry brush.

3. Broil the bread slices until crispy, turning halfway through (a few minutes on each side- watch closely as things can burn quickly under the broiler).

4. Using a slotted spoon to leave behind excess liquid, divide the tomato mixture evenly over the baguette slices. Top the slices with mozzarella cheese.

5. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.