Grilled Bruschetta for the weekend!

Just when I think things are settling down for my husband and I, something pops up that throws it all out of whack! Thankfully it is nothing major. We had our bathtub refinished yesterday (actually, repaired the refinishing we had done months ago) and we can't use the shower for 2 days. Since it is the only bathroom in our house, we are staying at a nearby hotel. I like to travel and to stay at hotels, but it loses its luster when it is a necessity and I have to get up and commute to work! Needless to say, I'm sleepy and in needs of lots of coffee this morning.

Once we're settled back into our house, we'll get back into our routine. Well, as much of a routine that we have. It's summer and it seems like we always have something going on. But, since the humidity has finally dried out, I'll feel like cooking again!

Here's a recipe that I think I'll make this weekend while we're visiting my parents in Maine. My husband and I have made it several times and it is always SO delicious!

Grilled Bruschetta
Ingredients:
1 ciabatta loaf
15-20 cherry tomatoes
3 cloves of garlic, minced (fresh is best)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
extra olive oil for brushing


Heat outdoor grill to medium heat.

Place garlic in medium sized bowl.

Place cherry tomatoes on grill and cook until they are at the just-bursting stage. Remove from grill and place in bowl with garlic. Mash with fork (or masher, or whisk) until tomatoes are broken up. Add in salt and pepper. Mix. Drizzle in 1 tbsp of olive oil. Mix well. Let mixture rest while bread toasts.


Slice ciabatta loaf length-wise, to create 2 long open-face pieces. Brush each open face with olive oil.
Place on grill, open face side down. Grill until toasted. Remove from grill, and place on tray open-face up.

Spoon tomato mixture over the top of the grilled bread. (Be cautious to not add too much of the tomato liquid, or bread will be soggy) Slice into individual serving-sized pieces.

Variation - add thin sliced Parmesan or fresh mozzarella to bread after it is toasted, so it melts before topping with tomato.

Enjoy!