Caprese Salad Crostini

       Classic Italian Caprese salad is always a crowd favorite. Here is a different way you can serve this dish in a bite size package. In this version I place the salad over crostini and drizzle it with a balsamic vinegar reduction. Reducing the balsamic vinegar intensifies the taste and brings out the sweetness in the balsamic vinegar. Serve these tasty bites in your next get together or when you just want to have a quick delicious snack.

                 
Ingredients:

 1 loaf of fresh crusty Italian bread, cut in thin slices 
1 pound of mini San Marzano tomatoes, sliced
Fresh Mozzarella cheese, small dice
Fresh basil leaves, rinsed and dried

 Olive oil

 Balsamic vinegar reduction:

 1 cup of good quality balsamic vinegar 

     In small sauce pan at medium low heat add the balsamic vinegar and simmer until reduced to 1/4 of a cup.  It will look like a syrup and will take about 45 minutes. Transfer to small bowl and set aside until needed.

    Lightly brush the bread slices with olive oil and transfer to a baking sheet pan. Bake at 350°F for 3 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside until needed.

 To assemble the crostini

     Place the mozzarella cheese over bread, following with the basil and the tomatoes slices. Transfer to a serving plate and drizzle individually with the balsamic vinegar reduction.

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