Caprese Garlic Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf ciabatta bread, horizontally cut in half or French bread or
• 4 tablespoons salted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 12 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar or balsamic vinegar reduction
• 2 medium tomatoes, sliced (Roma tomatoes)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Pesto
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven or grill to 400 degrees F. Place both sides of the baguette on a large baking sheet with the cut side up.
2. In a small bowl, combine butter and garlic and spread evenly on bread halves. then spread Pesto on top. Place the mozzarella cheese slices on top of the bread, making sure the cheese covers the bread completely. Place a salted and peppered tomato slice on top. Bake the bread for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
3. While the bread is in the oven, make the balsamic reduction if you have regular balsamic vinegar. Place the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring the vinegar to a boil, decrease the heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced by about half. This should only take about 5-7 minutes. Set aside.
4. Remove the bread from oven. Add the fresh basil and drizzle 1tsp olive oil with balsamic reduction. Cut into slices and serve.

Submitted by: Jenie Rainey from Two Peas and Their Pod