Grilled Garlic Bread with Fresh Tomato Relish

Make this dish with plump juicy tomatoes picked right off the vine. You know the kind; with every bite, the juice drips exquisitely down your chin.

Works as its own meal in a pinch

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 POUND FRESH TOMATOES, PEELED, SEEDED, DICED

• 1 TABLESPOON BALSAMIC VINEGAR

• 1 TABLESPOON EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

• 1 TABLESPOON MINCED FRESH BASIL OR OREGANO LEAVES

• 1 SMALL GARLIC CLOVE, MINCED

• SALT AND FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER, TO TASTE

• BRUSCHETTA OR CROSTINI

Combine all the ingredients, except the grilled bread, in a medium bowl. Marinate 30 minutes at room temperature. Prepare bruschetta, spoon relish on top. Also, delicious spooned over grilled eggplant.

COOKING TIPS:

These techniques are essential flavor-builders for fine Italian dishes, as they contribute significantly to the depth and complexity of the cuisine. The art of Italian cooking relies heavily on the harmonious balance of fresh, high-quality ingredients, traditional methods, and time-honored techniques that have been passed down through generations.

BATTUTO:

• This is the first step of many dishes. Finely chopped garlic and onion are lightly sauteed in olive oil, butter, pancetta (bacon) or lard. When lightly colored and aromatic, these ingredients are called a soffritto. Optional ingredients: parsley, pepper, celery, and carrots.

INSAPORIRE:

• This technique adds real flavor to vegetable dishes. Insaporire means "to make more tasty." Vegetables are added to sauteed onions and garlic and cooked to "make tasty." The vegetable is used for soup, sauce or pasta. This step creates a flavor-depth that otherwise might be missing.