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Classic Tomato Bruschetta

Classic tomato bruschetta recipe with fresh basil on toasted rustic bread
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A simple, vibrant appetizer celebrating ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic on crisp, toasted bread. This traditional Italian starter is effortless to make and perfect for sharing. It’s a taste of summer that requires minimal cooking for maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4-5 medium ripe tomatoes (about 1.5 lbs), diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 baguette or rustic Italian loaf, sliced 0.5-inch thick
  • 1-2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil for brushing
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled for rubbing

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine diced tomatoes, minced garlic, sliced basil, 2 tbsp olive oil, balsamic vinegar (if using), salt, and pepper. Gently stir and let marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven broiler or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet, brush or drizzle with olive oil, and toast until golden and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  3. Once toasted bread is cool enough to handle, rub the top of each slice with the peeled garlic clove.
  4. Use a slotted spoon to top each garlic-rubbed toast with the tomato mixture, allowing excess juice to drain. Drizzle with a little more olive oil if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Use the ripest, in-season tomatoes you can find for the best flavor. Letting the tomato mixture marinate is crucial for flavor development. Assemble just before serving to prevent the bread from becoming soggy.

Nutrition

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