This recipe was born from a garden overload. One summer, our tomato plants exploded, and I needed a way to use them fast. I grilled a few slices of bread, rubbed them with garlic, piled on chopped tomatoes and basil — and that was it. The crunch of the toast, the burst of sweet tomatoes, the fresh herbs… it felt like Italy in my backyard. Now, whenever I have tomatoes that are just too good not to show off, this is the first thing I make. Simple, fresh, and made to be shared.

Ingredients

• 1 baguette or rustic bread, sliced ½-inch thick

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves (1 whole, 1 minced)

• 1½ cups cherry or heirloom tomatoes, chopped

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Handful of fresh basil, chopped or torn

Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

2. Brush bread slices lightly with olive oil on both sides.

3. Grill for 1–2 minutes per side, until crisp and lightly charred.

4. While still warm, rub each slice with the whole garlic clove.

5. In a bowl, toss tomatoes with minced garlic, balsamic (if using), salt, pepper, and basil.

6. Spoon tomato mixture generously over each grilled bread slice.

7. Serve immediately while the bread is still warm and crisp.

Nutrition (per 2 pieces)

Calories: 180
Protein: 4g
Carbs: 20g
Fat: 9g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 3g