Garden Fresh Bubbly Pizza Bread

We finally have red tomatoes in this part of Minnesota this week. I don't have enough to can yet, but decided to make a special bubbly bread for my family tonight. The garden fresh flavor can also be achieved by shopping at your local farmer's market if you don't grow your own. Here's what you need:

-Some fresh things from your garden or the farmer's market- tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil
-A loaf of French bread
-Butter or olive oil
-Mozzarella cheese

Step 1: Gather Ingredients

Gather ingredients either from your garden or from the farmers market. I picked about 12 ripe cherry tomatoes and 3 medium sized heartland tomatoes.

Step 2: Pick Basil

Pick Basil (or purchase). I used about 4 stems of regular green basil and a few stems of some licorice-flavored purple basil.

Step 3: Evaluate Ingredients

Take a look at your ingredients and see if you have the proper proportion of ingredients equal to the sort of flavor you want to achieve.

Step 4: Quarter Tomatoes

According to your preference, prepare your tomatoes. Some people prefer their tomato sauce to have no seeds and no skin. If this is you, you can blanch your tomatoes and then remove the peels that way. You can also put your tomatoes through a food mill and get rid of the seeds by straining. Me, I'm not really that picky so I simply quarter the tomatoes and worry about picking out some of the bigger skins later.

Step 5: Chop Garlic

Chop garlic to the consistency you desire. I used about 3 cloves.

Step 6: Chop Onion

Chop onion to the desired consistency. I used about 1/4 a large white onion.

Step 7: Saute

Saute the garlic and onions in about 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 8: Saute the Tomatoes

Add the tomatoes to the garlic/onion mixture and saute for about 10 minutes.

Step 9: Crush Tomatoes

Crush tomatoes to make the conglomeration more of a sauce rather than salsa. Cook for about 5 more minutes then remove from heat and remove any big skins if desired.

Step 10: Chop Basil

Chop basil and add to tomato mixture.

Step 11: Simmer

Simmer for about 20 minutes so the flavors can combine.

Step 12: Preheat Oven

Turn your oven on to about 375-400 for a crispier crust.

Step 13: Slice French Bread

Slice the loaf of french bread in half with a bread knife.

Step 14: Butter Loaf

Add either olive oil or butter to the tops of the sliced loaf and toast briefly- about 5 minutes.

Step 15: Add Sauce

Spread the sauce on the bread.

Step 16: Add Cheese

I used about 1/4 block of a one pound block of mozzarella cheese. Slice and put on top of the sauce. bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes.

Step 17: Slice and Serve!

Use the bread knife to slice into pieces and serve!