A crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring garlic bread topped with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil, and a balsamic glaze.
Author:Caroline Hayes
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:12 min
Total Time:27 min
Yield:6-8 servings 1x
Category:Appetizer
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian-American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 loaf ciabatta or baguette, sliced horizontally
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
2 ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a small bowl, combine minced garlic, softened butter, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
Arrange the mozzarella slices over the garlic butter.
Top the mozzarella with tomato slices.
Place the bread on a baking sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For crispier bread, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Remove from oven and top with fresh basil leaves.
Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Notes
For make-ahead assembly, prepare the bread up to the tomato topping stage. Cover tightly and refrigerate. Add mozzarella and bake just before serving.
To prevent soggy bread, ensure tomatoes are not overly ripe and drain any excess liquid before placing them on the bread.
Ciabatta offers a chewier texture, while a baguette provides a crispier base. Choose based on your preference.