Description
Tomato bruschetta brings Italian countryside freshness to your table with ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and crisp bread. Garlic-kissed simplicity creates a perfect starter that connects Mediterranean flavors and delightful textures you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 vine tomatoes, diced
- 1 French baguette, sliced into 0.25 inches (0.64 centimeters) slices
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 0.5 small white onion, chopped
Liquids, Seasonings, and Garnish:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 0.25 lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Shredded Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal environment for toasting bread slices.
- Gently heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium flame, introducing minced garlic and allowing it to become aromatic and develop a golden hue. Remove from heat and let the fragrant oil rest.
- Create a vibrant tomato medley by combining diced tomatoes, finely chopped onion, and freshly torn basil leaves in a mixing bowl. Drizzle the reserved garlic-infused oil over the mixture, enhancing its flavor profile.
- Squeeze a hint of lemon juice into the tomato blend, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the taste. Gently fold the ingredients together, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
- Chill the tomato mixture in the refrigerator, allowing the ingredients to meld and intensify their essence while preparing the bread base.
- Craft a seasoned olive oil blend by mixing the remaining oil with a delicate sprinkle of salt and pepper in a small dish.
- Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet, meticulously brushing each piece with the seasoned oil to ensure a uniform, golden crispness.
- Bake the bread slices until their edges turn a delicate golden brown and achieve a satisfying crunch, approximately 8 minutes.
- Artfully assemble the bruschetta by generously topping each crisp bread slice with the chilled tomato mixture.
- For an optional luxurious touch, dust the completed bruschetta with a light sprinkle of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, adding a sophisticated finish.
Notes
- Perfectly ripe, juicy tomatoes are the secret to an incredible bruschetta with vibrant, fresh flavors that dance on your palate.
- Choose fresh basil leaves that are bright green and fragrant to elevate the entire dish’s aromatic profile.
- Slice baguette on a diagonal for more surface area, ensuring maximum crunch and space for delicious tomato topping.
- Let tomato mixture sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and intensify the taste experience.
- Toast bread slices until golden and crispy, but not too dark, to maintain a delicate texture that complements the fresh tomato mixture.
- Optional drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil just before serving can add a luxurious finishing touch and enhance overall flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- 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: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg