Description
Classic Italian bruschetta with garlic bread offers a delightful fusion of crisp toasted bread and fresh tomato goodness. Guests will savor each zesty bite while experiencing Mediterranean flavors that dance across their palate.
Ingredients
- 8 slices italian bread, ½-inch thick
- 2 cups (480 ml) fresh grape or cherry tomatoes, diced (or 3 to 4 roma tomatoes, diced)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh basil ribbons
- ¼ cup (25 g) freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, cut in half
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) balsamic vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh ground pepper, to taste
- Balsamic glaze (optional)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to 400°F (200°C), positioning a parchment-lined baking sheet for effortless management.
- Bread Transformation: Lavishly coat bread slices with extra virgin olive oil, arranging them oil-side down on the prepared sheet.
- Initial Toasting: Dispatch the baking sheet into the oven, allowing bread to achieve a golden-brown complexion within 8-10 minutes, vigilantly preventing over-browning.
- Garlic Infusion: Post-toasting, execute a delicate garlic clove rub across each bread surface, imparting a nuanced aromatic essence.
- Tomato Medley Preparation: Amalgamate diced tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, ensuring comprehensive flavor integration.
- Flavor Enhancement: Introduce extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar to the tomato mixture, gently stirring to marry the ingredients. Calibrate seasonings to personal preference.
- Final Assembly: Artfully distribute the vibrant tomato composition across the toasted bread, culminating with an elegant balsamic glaze drizzle.
- Serving Directive: Present immediately to preserve the bruschetta’s crisp texture and aromatic profile, inviting an immediate sensory experience.
Notes
Optimize Bread Toasting: Choose a crusty, sturdy bread like ciabatta or baguette to prevent sogginess and ensure a perfectly crisp base that holds the tomato mixture.
Enhance Garlic Infusion: Use fresh, room-temperature garlic for maximum flavor intensity, rubbing the clove gently to release natural oils without overwhelming the delicate bruschetta.
Master Tomato Selection: Pick ripe, firm tomatoes at peak ripeness – preferably Roma or vine-ripened varieties – which provide the best balance of sweetness and acidity for the topping.
Control Moisture Management: Seed and drain diced tomatoes briefly to prevent excess liquid from making the bread soggy, maintaining the ideal crisp-to-juicy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg