CLASSIC TOMATO BRUSCHETTA RECIPE

There is nothing that tastes like summer to me more than a ripe, flavorful tomato! When they’re in season I love to prepare an appetizer of tomato bruschetta and this is THE best tomato bruschetta recipe that I have found. It was taught to me by a wonderful lady named Adrianna in Tuscany, Italy. Adrianna was the housekeeper at the villa where I was fortunate to be staying. I learned many Italian cooking tips from her over the week. For instance, for a tomato bruschetta, she taught me that it should be made with cherry tomatoes. Before this, I just used any old tomatoes I had around the house but since I started making bruschetta with smaller cherry or grape tomatoes I’ve really noticed a difference.

Now I know that with a tomato bruschetta recipe, there is the controversy of whether you should remove the seeds or not. Adrianna taught me that there is no question about it. If you want an authentic Italian tomato bruschetta, you must remove the seeds! Removing the seeds from cherry tomatoes is actually a lot easier than with larger tomatoes. I’ve demonstrated the way Adrianna taught me in the recipe below.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s easy and quick to make
• Requires only a few simple economical ingredients
• Make a delicious appetizer that everyone will enjoy

What Ingredients Do I Need

This recipe is so simple you only need a few fresh ingredients.

• Crusty bread – Typically a sturdy bread like ciabatta is used but you could also use a good quality baguette.
• Garlic cloves – Used to rub on the bread.
• Cherry tomatoes – Squeezed to remove the seeds.
• Extra virgin olive oil – Use the best quality olive oil you can afford as its taste will stand out.
• Salt – I prefer sea salt but any salt will do.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS;

How do you pronounce "bruschetta"? The proper way to pronounce it is "brew-sketta" with a hard K, not the commonly mispronounced "brew-shetta". 

What qualifies as bruschetta? The word bruschetta comes from the Italian word "bruscare" meaning to toast or char. As such bruschetta stands for just the toasted bread itself, often rubbed with garlic and doused with olive oil. However it is commonly topped with a variety of foods. The most common being garlic, tomatoes, and basil. 

What bread is traditionally used for bruschetta? Traditionally a typical Italian bread like ciabatta is used however any bread with a sturdy crust that will hold up well to a topping can be used. 

How To Make Tomato Bruschetta

This bruschetta recipe is very easy. There really are only a few simple steps and it can be made in just a few minutes.

• Prepare the tomatoes – Remove the seeds by cutting a small bit of the stem end off and squeezing the tomatoes. Cut into small pieces.

• Mix tomatoes and EVOO – Add chopped tomato to a bowl. Add EVOO and salt.
• Add basil pieces – Chop basil. Add to tomatoes and mix well.
• Let sit – Let tomato mixture sit for a few minutes for flavors to meld.

• Toast bread – Slice and lightly toast each piece of bread
• Rub garlic on bread – Slice a clove of peeled garlic in half and generously rub the cut side on the warm bread to infuse it with the garlic flavor.
• Assemble bruschetta – Top each piece of bread with a generous spoonful or two of the tomato mixture.

Recipe Tips and Tricks For Success

• Take the time to remove the seeds from the tomatoes. Not deseeding will give the bruschetta an unappetizing texture and the extra liquid will dilute the flavor.
• Use really good quality extra virgin olive oil. As this recipe only has a few ingredients you want to use your best here.
• Use fresh basil, not dried.
• Salt the mixture generously. Tomatoes need a lot of salt. Keep tasting the mixture after you add salt until you think it has enough. It will take more than you think.

Classic Italian Tomato Bruschetta

A classic appetizer bursting with fresh flavors. Ripe tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil atop toasted baguette slices create a simple yet delightful taste of Italy.

www.comfortandpeasant.com

5 from 7 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 minutes mins

Total Time 13 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil (use the best quality you can afford)
• handful of fresh basil leaves
• 12 3/4" slices of fresh ciabatta or baguette bread
• 1-2 Cloves fresh garlic
• salt (as needed)

Instructions

 

• Cut the stem end off of each tomato and squeeze the other end gently until the seeds and juice are released from the open end of the tomato.
  
• Chop the tomatoes and add them to a bowl. I prefer fairly small pieces but if you prefer larger pieces that's fine too. Add EVOO.
  
• Chop basil into medium-sized pieces and add to tomato mixture. Salt generously to taste.
  
• Toast bread slices. Cut a clove of garlic in half lengthwise and while the bread is still warm generously rub the garlic over the bread. Top with the tomato mixture and serve immediately.

Keyword crostini, Easy, healthy, quick

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For other great summer-time dishes check out my recipes for Corn, Tomato, Avocado Salad, and the best Roasted Asparagus ever!