Bruschetta originated in Italy in the 15th century. The main ingredients of basil, tomato, and olive oil are staples in any Italian kitchen and they should be in yours, too. This is a basic bruschetta recipe, but feel free to add your own flair. Add 1/4 cup feta cheese, chopped Italian olives, grilled eggplant, or chopped artichokes for a Mediterranean flair. Deceptively simple, but delicious. Mangia!

Ingredients
1 loaf Italian baguette bread
2 to 3 garlic cloves, crushed and minced
1 1/2 cups freshly chopped tomatoes
4 to 6 tbsps olive oil
1/2 cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Cut the bread into 1/2 inch slices and place on cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil onto each slice and add an even amount of minced garlic to each slice. Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown, in middle rack, for about ten minutes.

In medium bowl, combine tomato, basil, salt, and pepper. Place a spoonful on each slice of bread.