Caramelized Tomato Carprese Salad Crostini w/Balsamic Reduction

Nate and I decided to serve ourselves up a yummy 3 course meal! Initially, it was intended to be a four course meal, but after all of this deliciousness there was no room nor interest in dessert! This is how our meal began!

Caramelized Tomato Carprese Salad Crostini w/Balsamic Reduction

1 french baguette
1 pd. fresh mini-mozzarella balls
1 pd fresh cherry tomatoes
1 bunch fresh basil
1 cup balsamic vinegar
salt, pepper and olive oil


1. cut the baguette into 1/2 inch thick pieces. brush with olive oil and bake at 400 until just getting brown. remove from oven and cool.
2. put the 1 cup of balsamic into a sauce pan and cook on Med heat until reduced by half.
3. Pre-heat BROILER to high(about 500degrees). cut the cherry tomatoes in half and lay on a baking sheet. drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil for 10-15 mins, checking frequently. Take them out when they start to bubble and are charred around the edges.
4. slice the mini mozzarella balls into thin slices. Cut the basil into thin strips(chiffinade)
5. lay the tomatoes and cheese on the toast, alternating back and forth(cheese, tomato, cheese, tomato ect). sprinkle with the chiffinade basil and drizzle with balsamic reduction!