Enjoying Summer Cooking with #KraftRecipes {Tomato & Balsamic Bruschetta Recipe}

With July marking the halfway point of summer (what??), I'm already mentally thinking about what else I would like to get done before my kids head back to school in the fall.

We've done plenty of swimming at the pool, hanging out with friends, planning and booking our upcoming vacation... but the item that I worry will slip past me is having a fun, casual potluck with friends and neighbors.

No matter if you're welcoming the folks that have recently moved to the neighborhood or if you're just having your closest pals over for an afternoon of laid-back entertainment and eating, who doesn't love hosting a summer BBQ or potluck?

As per my norm, I'm always on the lookout for quick, festive decor and tasty, easy recipes that are perfect to share. After all, I can't host a gathering and not have a yummy layered salad or s'mores ingredients on hand, right?

This is why this year I was excited to browse through the wide selection of recipes, ingredients and more at KraftRecipes.com to get a few new ideas. Upon stumbling on Tomato & Balsamic Bruschetta, I knew that I had found a winner!

In the same way that my kids love anything that I bake with zucchini, my husband will nearly always drop anything and everything for bruschetta. The toasted bread, the sweet tomatoes, the melted cheese — yum! So how could I pass up trying out this delicious twist?

Tomato & Balsamic Bruschetta

Ingredients

1 loaf French bread (16 oz.) cut into 16 slices
2 cloves garlic, halved
1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA ⅓ Less Fat than Cream Cheese
16 cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup slivered red onions
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. brown sugar
⅛ tsp salt
⅛ tsp pepper
¼ cup fresh basil leaves (about 8), torn

Directions

Heat oven to 400°F.

Place bread slices in single layer on baking sheet. Bake 3 to 4 min. on each side or until toasted on both sides. Rub with garlic. Cool.

Spread toast with cream cheese; top with tomatoes and onions.

I left off the onions only because my kids won't touch them.

Whisk vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper until well blended. Drizzle over toast slices; top with basil.

Enjoy!

These are such a tasty addition to any potluck or BBQ that your family and friends will surely go back for more! I love the way that they take the classic bruschetta and give it a unique, extremely delicious (and quite addicting) twist. I'll certainly be reaching for the recipe for gatherings as well as to add a tasty change to our dinner table in the future!

This summer, be sure to browse the large number of recipes available at KraftRecipes.com to find a huge selection of snack, meal or dessert ideas that are creative, delicious, fun and perfect for enjoying time at home or as a guest with all of your loved ones.

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own.