Description
A delicious and fresh appetizer made with ripe tomatoes, basil, and garlic, served on toasted baguette slices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 ripe tomatoes, finely diced
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 French or Italian baguette, sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the finely diced tomatoes, chopped basil, minced garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss the mixture, ensuring everything is well coated. Let it sit for at least 15-30 minutes at room temperature to allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Brush each slice lightly with olive oil on both sides. Bake in the preheated oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden and crisp. You can also grill the bread for a smoky flavor!
- Remove the toasted baguette slices from the oven, and if you choose, sprinkle each piece with parmesan cheese while they are still warm. Using a spoon, generously top each slice with the prepared tomato-basil mixture.
- Arrange the bruschetta on a serving platter. Optionally, garnish with extra basil leaves or a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Serve immediately while the bread is still warm and crispy.
Notes
- For best flavor, let the tomato mixture sit for at least 15-30 minutes before serving.
- Grilling the bread adds a nice smoky flavor.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic and basil to your taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking/Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg