Holiday Bruschetta

Enjoy these tasty pesto-mozzarella toasts are as delicious as they are colorful.

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. (12 oz.) rolled fresh mozzarella cheese, at room temperature
• 3 Tbs. basil pesto
• 1 loaf (11” long) crusty French bread, cut crosswise into ¼”-thick slices, about 24
• 3 Tbs. butter, melted
• 48 fresh basil leaves
• 12 grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Unroll mozzarella horizontally on surface. Cut in half crosswise. Spread each piece with 1½ Tbs. pesto. Starting with short end, roll up each jellyroll style. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, place bread slices on baking sheet. Brush tops with butter. Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on rack.
3. Unwrap mozzarella rolls; cut each into 12 slices, about ¼” thick. Place 2 basil leaves on each bread slice; top with mozzarella slices and garnish with tomatoes.