[senior citizen]

COPYCAT RECIPE FROM CHEESECAKE FACTORY
BRUSCHETTA APPETIZER

Don't let the name of this restaurant scare you off.....

This is one of the most delicious recipes for one of the most simple appetizers. Easy, fresh, inexpensive, simple to prepare, as healthy as can be and habit forming. You won't stop at one....believe me.


Ingredients
1 1/2 cups chopped Roma tomatoes (6 to 8 Roma tomatoes)
3 tablespoons diced red onion
1 large clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil (Divided; see below)
1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pinch of garlic salt
1/2 loaf French baguette or crusty Italian bread
3 sprigs cilantro


Combine tomatoes, red onion, garlic and basil in a medium bowl.


Add 1/2 tablespoon of oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and mix well.


Cover the bowl and refrigerate for one hour.


When ready to serve, preheat broiler and slice the baguette in 1-inch slices on a 45 degree angle to make 5 to 7 slices of bread.


Combine remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil with the garlic salt.


Brush entire surface of both sides of each slice with olive oil mixture.


Broil slices for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side, until surface starts to brown.


Arrange bread like wheel spokes on serving plate.


Spoon the chilled tomato neatly onto bread slices where they meet at the center of the plate.


Garnish with cilantro.