Oh, how I love to eat bread!  Bread is a serious weakness of mine.  There are times when I would rather have bread than dessert.  So, when I came across this recipe and stopped to considered this for my carbohydrate for dinner (instead of rice, potato, etc.), I pretty much didn’t hesitate one bit!  It reminds me SO much of bruschetta that it was hard NOT to love it.  The crusty bread, coated in fresh garlic, topped with tomatoes, Italian spices, and cheese . . . uh, you had me at crusty bread!  This is a cinch to pull together and such a wonderful treat this time of year.  The recipe calls for canned plum tomatoes (or diced tomatoes is how we commonly see them on our grocery shelves), but you can easily swap those canned tomatoes out for fresh tomatoes while you have them.  With that said, I’m going to shock several of you when I say that the canned tomatoes are usually better here.  I know . . . I’m gasping right alongside of you!  But, the beauty of this is that you can eat this treat year-round without any hesitation!  Oh!  And, if you’re a balsamic vinegar lover like me, drizzle that over the finish product and you’ll love this even more!

Crunchy Tomato Bread
Adapted from Rocco Dispirito’s “Now Eat This! Diet Recipes”

8 ounces whole wheat baguette
1 garlic clove, peeled and left whole
1 cup canned peeled plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
salt
freshly ground black pepper

Cut the bread in half lengthwise.  Place it in a toaster oven (or under the broiler in your oven) and toast.

Rub the toasted halves with the clove of garlic.  Divide the tomatoes in half, and distribute them over the bread pieces.  Sprinkle the oregano, red pepper flakes, and cheese over the bread.  Top with a few drops of olive oil, and then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer the bread back to the toaster oven (or broiler) and toast until the tomatoes are warmed through and the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes (watch carefully to ensure your bread does not burn).

Slice into 6 separate pieces.  Serve immediately.  Serves 6.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Calories:  112
Protein:  5.3g
Carbs:  19g
Fat:  2g (0.6 = Sat.)
Fiber:  2.7g