1 large French baguette, sliced into half inch rounds
3 cups cherry tomatoes, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chiffonade or finely chopped
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Fresh rosemary sprigs, for decoration
Optional: 1 cup fresh mini mozzarella pearls
Instructions
Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the baguette into half inch thick rounds. Place the slices on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly brush both sides of each slice with a small amount of olive oil. This helps the bread achieve a perfect golden brown color and prevents it from becoming too hard in the center.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the diced cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and chopped fresh basil. Add the remaining olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. Toss everything gently until the tomatoes are evenly coated. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes at room temperature to allow the flavors to meld together and the tomatoes to release their natural juices.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and toast the bread for about 8 to 10 minutes. You want the edges to be golden and the centers to be slightly crisp but still have a bit of give. Halfway through the baking time, flip the slices over to ensure even browning. Once finished, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a couple of minutes so they are easier to handle.
On a large circular serving platter, arrange the toasted bread slices in a double layer to form a wreath shape. Leave a small empty circle in the very center of the platter. Spoon a generous amount of the tomato mixture onto each slice of bread. If you are using mozzarella pearls, tuck them in among the tomatoes now for a snowy appearance.
To give it a true holiday look, tuck fresh rosemary sprigs around the outer and inner edges of the bread circle to mimic the needles of a wreath. Just before serving, drizzle the balsamic glaze in a decorative pattern over the top of the entire wreath. Serve immediately while the bread is still crisp and the tomatoes are fresh.
