Summer lends itself to lighter eating and some of my favorite foods.  I am a BIG fan of Bruschetta which is an Italian appetizer which hits the spot any time.  In preparation for creating my own Bruschetta, I planted some wonderful basil early this Spring.  This fresh herb is a must when it comes to the tastiest Bruschetta!  I'm going to share with you my easy way of making this yummy appetizer:

- A small handful of fresh basil leaves
- a skinny round loaf of bread
- 1 large fresh tomato.  You can also use cherry tomatoes as you see in my Bruschetta above.   (Try to use the sweetest, most flavorful tomato you can find)
- 2 to 3 cloves of fresh garlic
- extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt

1. Cut your loaf of bread into your preferred thickness of slices.  Lightly toast the slices.

2. While the bread slices are toasting, dice up your tomato.  Then prepare the basil by stacking several leaves, roll them up into a tube and thinly slice the roll into strips.

3. Mince your garlic

4. Put the tomato, basil strips and garlic in a bowl and mix it all up with a few drizzles of olive oil.  Use just enough olive oil to cote and mix in a few pinches of sea salt (to taste)

5. Drizzle your toasted bread pieces with a big of olive oil and then spoon the tomato/basil mixture onto the bread.

6. EAT UP!

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