Description
Rustic Italian bruschetta brings Mediterranean sunshine to your table with crisp toasted bread and juicy ripe tomatoes. Fresh basil and garlic elevate this simple appetizer, delivering classic flavors that transport you straight to a charming Italian countryside terrace.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 plum tomatoes, diced
- 1 French baguette, sliced into 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) thick pieces
- 1 cup fresh basil, chopped
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 0.5 red onion, minced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Liquid Ingredients:
- 0.25 cups (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal toasting.
- Carefully dice ripe tomatoes into small, uniform cubes, ensuring clean and precise cuts.
- Finely chop fresh basil leaves and mince red onion to create a vibrant and aromatic base for the bruschetta topping.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine diced tomatoes, chopped basil, minced red onion, of extra virgin olive oil, of balsamic vinegar, of salt, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper.
- Gently mix the ingredients and allow the mixture to rest for 10-15 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Slice a fresh baguette diagonally into 1/2-inch (1.3 centimeters) thick pieces, creating elegant and uniform slices.
- Arrange the baguette slices on the prepared baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven for 4-6 minutes until edges turn golden brown and crisp.
- Remove the toasted bread from the oven and immediately rub whole peeled garlic cloves across the surface of each slice, infusing a robust garlic essence.
- Generously spoon the marinated tomato mixture over each garlic-rubbed toast, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the bruschetta at its peak flavor and texture, with the bread crisp and topping fresh.
Notes
- Elevate your bruschetta game with this simple yet sophisticated appetizer that transforms basic ingredients into a culinary delight.
- Marinating tomatoes beforehand allows their natural sweetness and herbs to intensify, creating a more complex flavor profile.
- Toasting bread at high heat ensures a perfectly crisp base that won’t get soggy when topped with juicy tomato mixture.
- Rubbing fresh garlic directly on warm toast releases its aromatic oils, infusing each bite with an incredible depth of flavor.
- Serving immediately preserves the crisp texture of the bread and keeps the tomato mixture vibrant and fresh.
- Optional variations include adding crumbled feta cheese or drizzling extra balsamic glaze for a gourmet twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg