Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil, one of my favorite ways to use up all my summer tomatoes is with this simple appetizer or side dish.
Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Basil and tomatoes compliment each other beautifully and are usually overflowing in my garden in the late summer months. You can toast the bread in the oven or on the grill so you don’t heat up the kitchen.
How to Make Bruschetta:
This classic Italian antipasto, or appetizer, uses toasted Italian bread rubbed with garlic. It’s then topped with a heavenly diced tomato medley including basil, red onions and balsamic vinegar. You can also add avocado or mozzarella! For gluten free options, I love using this topping over Grilled Salmon, Grilled Chicken or even a Naked Turkey Burger.
Should Bruschetta be Served Warm or Cold?
What makes all the difference is that toasted crunch of the outer bread and chewy insides as you bite down on the refreshing antipasto. This appetizer is best served freshly toasted while the tomato portion can be room temperature or refrigerated . Let’s be honest, no one wants a soggy bruschetta. For the toast, you can also choose to grill them to create a nice char.
Can You Make Bruschetta in Advance?
The answer is yes. You can make the tomato salad up to a day ahead and keep it in the fridge to really let the all the flavors combine. Then when the time comes, all that’s needed to do is cut and toast your bread, and voila!
More Tomato Recipes:
- Summer Tomato Salad
- Angel Hair Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Pesto Parmesan Baked Tomatoes
- Caprese Salad
Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Ingredients
- 6-7 ripe plum or beefsteak tomatoes diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 small red onion chopped
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- olive oil spray
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves chopped
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 16 oz baguette or French bread
- 1-2 garlic cloves peeled
Instructions
- Combine tomatoes, chopped garlic, red onion, vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, and basil.
- Set aside.
- Slice bread into 1/2 inch thick slices.
- Place on a tray and spray lightly with olive oil.
- Toast bread under broiler, until golden, watching closely not to let it burn.
- When bread is toasted, rub each piece with whole garlic clove.
- Place bread on a platter and top with tomato mixture.
- Serve immediately or the bread will become soggy.
For my 9 yo, he does not do well with eating topped toast foods, so I cut up the bread and just put the tomatoes in the bowl with the bread. He gobbled it up!!
More panzanella like, but none the less I was extra excited!!
Holy cow. I’m gonna embarrass myself and admit that i made these 2 times in one week because my whole family is obsessed. My 6 year old and I ate them for breakfast because we tried them after I marinated overnight and then we couldn’t stop eating them. WW friendly unless you have trouble stopping like I did.
Hahaha I love this 😂 I’m about to make all the servings for two for Valentines Day, so I think I’m about to be more embarrassed 😳Â
Thank you for these wonderful healthy recipes 💕 I love trying new dishes with my family