Warm and colourful on a lazy Saturday

It was one of those cloudy Saturdays when you feel like doing literally nothing. I guess the weather 
left the same. The grey clouds and the sweet sticky air. Perfect to sit back and stare at the world outside. The bulk of my day was spend curled up with one of the few books I have carried from Kolkata all the way here spending extra on my luggage weight. I always feel it is a little piece of home that I have with me.

I was forced back to reality with a phone call from one of my dear friends telling how difficult it is to travel the streets of Kolkata with all the on-going preparations of Durga Puja. Sitting at my Santa Cruz house, I could very well picture the mad carnival, the sweet sticky smell and all the too familiar noises. The lazy grey clouds no longer seemed appealing. I wanted something warm and colourful and a distraction.

I wanted something bright and warm. What better than a loaf of good Italian baguette and bright red tomatoes. Bruschetta it is. I quickly started chopping some tomatoes and put on a big griddle pan on the stove to grill my bread. 

Bruschetta is an antipasto (starter dish) from Italy consisting of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil and salt. Simple, easy, warm and a dash of colour to brighten up the grey day or grey mood. 

My version of bruschetta with loads of tomatoes, garlic, basil and a generous splash of olive oil.

Bruschetta  recipe

INGREDIENTS

One loaf of good quality baguette

4 ripe red tomatoes

A good handful of basil

5-6 cloves of garlic

Olive oil

Salt

Mixed herbs

Pepper

Olives 

METHOD

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Place a griddle pan on the gas stove on medium high.

Slice the baguette and rub nicely with garlic cloves.

Toast the breads and keep aside.

To prepare the topping…

Rub the tomatoes with a little olive oil and char grill them on the gas stove.

Keep aside.

With a damp cloth rub off the charred tomato skin.

Roughly chop the tomatoes and set aside in a bowl. Add crushed garlic, olive oil, basil, salt & pepper to taste and the mixed herbs.

Mix well.

Equally divide the tomatoes on top of the baguette slices.

Top it with a dash of olive oil.

Warmth and happiness in a plate. Enjoy with a glass of Red and go back to being lazy