* Loaf details: There will be enough tomato mixture to top about 18 pieces of crostini, so you will have leftover (which are great for snacking) if starting with a full loaf. Alternatively, a demi baguette, which is half the length of a traditional baguette, may be used. When slicing the baguette, a bread knife or serrated knife will make nice, clean cuts.
* A gluten-free baguette may be used. I recently tested a frozen and thawed loaf by Against All Grain, and the outcome was quite good—while understandably not as perfect as an artisanal loaf purchased the day it was baked. Recently, a reader told me that she had good results with Schar’s gluten-free baguettes and another mentioned Udi’s is superior to Schar’s!
For an extra hint of garlic flavor, slice a peeled garlic clove in half and rub the cut side over the sliced bread before brushing with olive oil. If making extra crostini for snacking, you may also wish to sprinkle the tops lightly with kosher or sea salt after brushing with the oil.