Caprese Garlic Bread

Caprese Garlic Bread

Garlic bread with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic! The best garlic bread you will ever eat!

Ingredients

1 loaf ciabatta bread, horizontally cut in half

 4+ tablespoons salted butter

 3 cloves garlic, minced

 12 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

 2 medium tomatoes, sliced

 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place both sides of the baguette on a large baking sheet with the cut side up.

Bake about 5 minutes plain.

2. In a small bowl, combine butter and garlic and spread evenly on bread halves. Place the mozzarella cheese slices on top of the bread, making sure the cheese covers the bread completely. Bake the bread for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

3. While the bread is in the oven, make the balsamic reduction*. Place the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring the vinegar to a boil, decrease the heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced by about half. This should only take about 5-7 minutes. Set aside.   *(IF you prefer, you can just drizzle on plain balsamic vinegar.)

4. Remove the bread from oven. Top the bread with tomato slices. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the fresh basil and drizzle with balsamic reduction. Cut into slices and serve.