Simple Summer Appetizer: Tomato and Cheese Bruschetta

June 8, 2014

Tomato and cream cheese bruschetta is a simple appetizer to serve during your summer parties.  Garden tomatoes are paired with slivers of red onion, basil and a balsamic vinaigrette and served on slices of bread with cream cheese.  Onion can sometimes be an overpowering ingredient so I recommend soaking the slices in ice cold water to tame the flavor.  Feel free to change up this recipe based on what's available in your garden or at the farmers market.  Roasted red peppers or grilled zucchini would also work with this dish.

Tomato and Cream Cheese Bruschetta
Recipe Courtesy of Kraft

1 French bread baguette (16 oz.), cut into 16 slices
2 cloves garlic, halved
1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese
16 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup slivered red onions
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. brown sugar
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (about 8), torn

Heat oven to 400°F.

Place bread slices in single layer on baking sheet. Bake 3 to 4 min. on each side or until toasted on both sides. Rub with garlic. Cool.

Spread toast slices with reduced-fat cream cheese; top with tomatoes and onions.

Whisk vinegar, oil, sugar and pepper until blended; drizzle over toast slices. Top with basil.

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