Description
Bruschetta brings Italian sunshine to your table with crisp bread kissed by ripe tomatoes and fragrant basil. Fresh ingredients and simple techniques craft a delightful appetizer you’ll savor with every Mediterranean-inspired bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 baguette
- 4 medium tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons (tbsp) fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 clove garlic
Seasoning and Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons (tbsp) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (tbsp) balsamic vinegar
- Salt
- Black pepper
Optional Topping:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by setting the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and positioning the rack in the middle for even heating.
- Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spread and not overlapping.
- Drizzle olive oil across the bread slices, using a pastry brush to create a light, uniform coating that will help achieve a golden crispness.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and toast the bread for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden-brown and the surface becomes crisp and crunchy.
- Remove the toasted bread from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes, which will help maintain its textural integrity.
- While the bread cools, create the tomato mixture by combining diced ripe tomatoes, finely minced garlic, freshly chopped basil leaves, a splash of olive oil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
- Season the tomato mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper, gently folding the ingredients to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Take a peeled garlic clove and lightly rub it across the surface of each toasted bread slice, imparting a subtle, aromatic essence.
- Generously spoon the prepared tomato mixture onto each bread slice, allowing the juices to slightly soak into the crisp surface.
- Optional: Sprinkle a light dusting of grated Parmesan cheese over the topped bruschetta for an additional layer of flavor.
- Serve the bruschetta immediately to preserve the bread’s crispness and the tomatoes’ fresh, vibrant character.
Notes
- Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes for the most intense, sweet flavor and best texture.
- Use day-old bread or a rustic baguette to prevent soggy bruschetta; slightly stale bread absorbs toppings better.
- Drain excess tomato liquid to keep bread crisp and prevent sogginess when serving.
- Allow tomato mixture to sit for 15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and intensify.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg