Grilled Bruschetta

I have many new and exciting things coming to Sweet & Savory.  Consider yourself warned.  There will be a new look and I hope to do more of what my readers want.

That is why yesterday I put up a poll on my Facebook page, asking fans to select the items they would like to see more of - Easy Meals for Busy Families, Appetizers, Simple Desserts, Giveaways, or Helpful Tidbits & Cooking Shortcuts.

What do you want to see?  Please go on Facebook and tell me.  My goal is to reach 180 fans by Labor Day.  Can I do it?  Will you help?  It's only 14 more!

Today's recipe would fall under the Appetizer category.  Or I guess Easy Meals for Busy Families, as it is what the little man and I ate for dinner one night last week.  He loved it!

Grilled Bruschetta

5 ripe plum tomatoes (cored, de-seeded and diced)

3 cloves garlic, mined

1 T. extra virgin olive oil

2-3 fresh basil leaves chopped

salt, pepper to taste

1 baguette of French bread

After de-seeding and removing all juice of the core of the tomato, dice into small chunks.  Mince up garlic and add to the tomato.  Drizzle with olive oil, add in fresh basil, salt and pepper.  Chill in fridge for at least 1 hour.

Shortly before serving, preheat indoor grill pan or outside grill to medium heat.  Cut baguette into 1 1/2 in. slices, drizzle with olive oil and place on grill, flipping after a few minutes or when bottom side starts getting crispy.  Grill an additional 1-2 minutes on other side.

Place baguette slices on a platter and top with a spoonful of the tomato, garlic, basil mixture.  Serve immediately.

Like I said I could make a meal out of this dish, but it probably isn't a good idea as it contains no protein and little of anything else!  If you are thinking of serving it at a party or potluck, serve it as a dip.  Baguette slices on a platter with the tomato mixture in a bowl.  That way people can spoon the tomatoes onto their bread and it doesn't sit on a plate all night and get soggy.  Nothing worse than soggy bread!

Well, my weekend has officially started.  Anyone have any big plans?

We will be watching 10,000 (yes, I said 10,000) bicyclists go through our little town this weekend (in fact, our very street) as they make their way across Iowa for this year's annual RAGBRAI.  Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.

The husband did it once and I was his support vehicle.  We've never done it again.  It is a LOT of work.  You start by dipping your back rear tire in the Missouri River on the western border of Iowa and end 7 days later by dipping your front tire in the Mississippi River on the eastern border of Iowa.  Crazy huh?

Don't think it's all exercise.  Well, it is, but it is more known for the pit stops you make in every little town about 10 miles apart.  Every town comes out in full force to show their best in food, drink and entertainment.

You pretty much end up gaining weight by the time you are done.