Tartine alla Pizzaiola {Pizzaiola Tartines}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Appetizer, Vegetarian | 9 comments

These tartines are an elegant and easy appetizer that you can pull together in nothing flat. It makes use of simple sandwich bread {perfect for that bread that might be a little on the stale side} and a few other ingredients that I’m betting you probably have on hand. And if you don’t you probably have something that would substitute nicely.  I think it’s pretty fantastic you can make something so elegant out of everyday white sandwich bread!

Lucky for me, my mom learned to make these Tartines in an Italian cooking class while we were living in Italy. She was the Queen of pulling things together when people popped over unexpectedly {our neighbors were always stopping by to drop off goodies from their gardens or wine cellars }- lucky us ; ) }. With so many guests {my Dad was also notorious for bringing home stray GI’s} she made these tartines and several other versions of them on a regular basis.

Now that I think about it although we were a family of four my Mother always cooked for at least eight! I guess she just always expected the  unexpected.

Baci!

Tartine alla Pizzaiola {Pizza Tartines}
What you’ll need: Makes 18 rounds
6 slices sandwich bread – cut into 1 1/2- 2″ rounds
12 cherry tomatoes – fine dice
1 green onion – thinly sliced
6 green olives – minced
1 tablespoon flat leaf Italian parsley – chopped fine
extra virgin olive  oil – enough to drizzle
6 ounces fresh mozzarella – sliced to fit rounds

What to do:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toast bread.  Set aside.

2. Into a bowl add: tomatoes, onion, olives, parsley. Mix together. Season with salt/pepper. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.

3. To assemble: Place a spoonful of tomato mixture onto round. Top with sliced mozzarella. Garnish with additional drizzle of olive oil and parsley if desired. Continue until  desired amount of tartines are assembled.

Buon Appetito!