Bruschetta alla siciliana

Bruschette with Pantelleria Capers and Sundried Cherry Tomatoes

(serves four)

Ingredients

4 ripe tomatoes
10 greek basil leaves (or 5 regular basil leaves)

2 teaspoons salt-preserved capers, soaked for a few minutes in water and drained

10 sun dried cherry tomatoes preserved in extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic

4 slices thick crust bread (ideally Italian sourdough natural yeast bread)

1 tsp dried oregano
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil salt

Preparation:

Cut the tomatoes into halves or quarters and squeeze out most of the juices and seeds. Then chop them finely and place them in a bowl,dress with a pinch of salt, a spoon of dry oregano and two spoons of extra virgin olive oil.

Place the sun dried tomatoes, capers, the basil leaves, 1 garlic clove and 4 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil in a mixer and reduce to a paste.

Mix the paste to the cubed tomatoes, use a spoon or your hands to blend all the flavors together.

Cut four 3/4-inch slices of bread and lightly toast them until they are golden brown on both sides. Ideally they should be toasted on a barbecue, but they can also be done in a griddle pan for ease at home. When they are ready, rub one side of each bread slice with a cut garlic clove and spoon the tomatoes mixture on top.

Sprinkle the bruschetta with a little extra virgin olive oil, decorate with Trapani salt crystals (or maldon salt flakes) and serve