Baked Caprese Salad

Giada De Laurentis - I used day old foccacio bread, mixed minced garlic and olive oil to brush onto the slices of bread.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  loaf baguette, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices (about 30 to 36 slices)
• 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 5  roma tomatoes, sliced
• 1 1⁄4 lbs fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 1  bunch fresh basil leaf, stemmed

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Arrange the sliced baguette bread on a baking sheet.
3. Brush with some of the olive oil.
4. Sprinkle with salt.
5. Bake until the bread is pale golden and crisp, about 5 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven.
7. Top each slice of bread with a slice of tomato and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
8. Top each slice of tomato with a slice of mozzarella and sprinkle with salt.
9. Return the baking sheet to the oven until the cheese and tomato are warmed, about 5 minutes.
10. Arrange the toasts on a serving platter.
11. Top each toast with a basil leaf.
12. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve.