Italian Vegetarian Cooking : Antipasti

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Serves: 4
Style: Italian Vegetarian

1 teaspoon(s) finely chopped or grated garlic
2 tablespoon(s) olive oil
2 large red ripe firm tomatoes
2 tablespoon(s) chopped fresh basil
½ teaspoon(s) mild paprika pepper
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
8 slices Italian ciabatta bread lightly toasted
½ cup(s) grated parmesan chese
fresh basil leaves to garnish

Soak half the garlic in some olive oil.
Finely dice the tomatoes. Mix along with the remaining garlic, fresh basil, paprika and the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and freshly milled pepper. Mix well and let stand atleast for 30 minutes or prepare in advance and refrigerate till serving time for the flavors to blend well.
Meanwhile, brush the toasted bread slices over both sides with the garlic along with very little olive oil in which it was soaked.
At serving time, spoon the tomato mixture onto the bread slices and garnish with fresh basil.

TIPS:
Any flat Italian Bread like foccacia can be used in place of ciabatta.
Italian plum tomatoes or cherry tomatoes can be used instead of the normal ones.
Fresh herbs can be substituted with comparitively lesser amounts of dry ones.
The best quality of parmesan will be labelled parmigiano reggiano
The amount of cheese can be increased if desired specially if children love it.

Serve topped with: grated parmesan cheese

Vegetarian Italian Cooking

Tomato Bruschetta