Cherry Tomato Bruschetta on Focaccia

With lightly toasted focaccia slices, spread with a honey, mascarpone, garlic and chili flake spread and topped with balsamic vinegar-marinated cherry tomatoes. Delightfully different and a great Summer appetizer!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 loaf focaccia
• olive oil (for drizzling)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1/2 small red onion (diced)
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup fresh basil (coarsely chopped)
• salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese (*see Note 2 below)
• 1/4 cup runny honey
• 1/2 - 1 Tablespoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 - 2 Tablespoons fresh garlic (minced, adjust to taste)
• pinch salt and freshly ground pepper
• freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• microgreens or fresh chopped basil (for garnish)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 400F (regular bake setting/not convection or fan-assisted), with the rack in the centre of the oven. Cut the1 loaf focaccia into 6 thick (1-inch-ish) slices and place them cut side down on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toast in the oven until golden, about 8 minutes. Watch closely so you don't over-toast. You want the focaccia crisp on the edges but still chewy in the middle so it doesn’t become tough.
2. 2In a medium bowl, combine the 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 1/2 small red onion, 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup fresh basil, salt and freshly ground pepper. Set aside.
3. 3In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, 1/4 cup runny honey, 1/2 - 1 Tablespoon red chili flakes, 1 - 2 Tablespoons fresh garlic and pinch salt and freshly ground pepper. Set aside.
4. 4On a large serving plate or individual plates, lay out the toasted focaccia slices. Spread generously with the mascarpone spread. Using a slotted spoon, top the bruschetta with a generous pile of cherry tomatoes, then use a spoon to grab some of the marinating liquid from the bowl and drizzle it over the tomatoes.
5. 5Garnish the bruschetta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and microgreens or fresh chopped basil.
6. 6Serve immediately. This bruschetta is quite sturdy and is intended to be picked up and enjoyed as finger food.