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Sundried Tomato and Basil Crostini

Little bites of bliss, bursting with all the flavours of the Mediterranean—here, sundried tomatoes are marinated with a blend of Italian herbs. These tomato and basil crostini are so delicious, your guests will never guess how healthy they really are.

Cook Smart for a Healthy Heart, Reader's Digest Canada

Directions

Place the tomatoes in a medium bowl. Add 6 tablespoons of the Italian dressing and toss to coat evenly. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cut the bread diagonally into 8 slices, about 1 cm thick.
Stack the basil leaves and tightly roll them up lengthwise. Cut them crosswise into very thin slices to make “chiffonade.”
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Arrange the slices of bread on a baking sheet and brush both sides with the remaining dressing. Bake the crostini until they are light golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Divide the tomatoes evenly among the bread slices. Bake until they are heated through, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and keep warm. Serve 2 sundried tomato and basil crostini per person.

preparation time 15 mins, plus 30 mins marinating
cooking time 10 mins
serves 4 (makes 8)

Ingredients 16 sundried tomatoes (not oil-packed)
1⁄2 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing
1⁄3 loaf Vienna bread, about 180 g
6 large fresh basil leaves

Nutritional Information

PER SERVING

201 calories
6 g protein
2 g total fat
0 g saturated fat
0 mg cholesterol
38 g total carbohydrate
11 g sugars
4 g fibre
632 mg sodium

Triple this recipe for a quick hors d’oeuvre for your next party. Use 48 sundried tomatoes, 11⁄2 cups salad dressing, 1 large loaf Vienna bread or 2 smaller loaves (550 g in total), and 18 basil leaves. Prepare the recipe as above, making 24 crostini.

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