5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon finely chopped white onion or shallots
1/2 cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
6 ripe plum tomatoes (about 12 ounces)
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic, slivered
Eight 3/4 thick slices Italian bread
Basil leaves (optional)
Preparation Instructions:
In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, onion, basil, and lemon juice. Chop tomatoes into 1/4 inch pieces; add them to the oil mixture. Season the mixture with salt and pepper; set aside.
In a small skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over moderate heat. Add garlic and saute until golden, about 1 minute. Discard the garlic from the oil.
Toast bread slices; arrange two pieces of toast on each of four serving plates. Brush the garlic flavoured oil over each slice. Using a slotted spoon, place an equal amount of the tomato mixture on each slice. Garnish each serving with basil leaves, if desired, and serve.