I love crafting recipes using fresh, quality ingredients and this Tomato and Basil Bruschetta is a real gem. Ripe diced tomatoes, fragrant basil, and minced garlic come together with extra virgin olive oil and a hint of balsamic vinegar atop toasted baguette slices. It is naturally inviting and bursting with bright flavors.

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I recently tried my hand at making Tomato And Basil Bruschetta and it quickly became one of my favorite recipes to share when I have guests over. I started off by dicing 4 ripe tomatoes and mixing them with roughly chopped basil and minced garlic which immediately filled the room with an amazing aroma.

I then drizzled 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the mixture and added just a splash of balsamic vinegar to elevate the flavors even more. I usually finish it off with a bit of salt and freshly ground black pepper to really bring out the taste.

Then I toasted thick slices of a baguette until they were just the right amount of crisp. Honestly, the way these flavors come together is something special.

Every bite is a burst of freshness and subtle complexity that will leave you craving for more. Enjoy giving this recipe a try, its simplicity makes it even more irresistible.

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I love how this recipe brings in the fresh flavors of summer with every bite, the tomatoes and basil just explode in your mouth and it makes my taste buds really happy.
2. I really appreciate that it’s super easy and fast to make, which is perfect when i don’t have much time to prepare something tasty.
3. The combo of the crispy toasted baguette and the juicy tomato mix is amazing, its that crunchy and soft texture together that i just cant get enough of.
4. And honestly, its always a hit when i serve it to friends, it makes entertaining a breeze cause everyone loves this simple, flavorful treat.

Ingredients

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Ripe tomatoes bursting with juicy flavors, fiber, vitamins and antioxidants that boost health.
Fresh basil provides bright, aromatic flavor along with vitamins and natural antioxidants.
Minced garlic adds a punch of flavor, antioxidants, and a subtle spicy kick.
Extra virgin olive oil is heart healthy, enriching the dish and smoothing the texture.
Optional balsamic vinegar introduces tangy sour notes, balancing the dish with subtle sweetness.
Sliced baguette offers hearty carbohydrates and a crunchy base for the fresh topping.
A pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper enhance all flavors naturally.

Ingredient Quantities

4 ripe tomatoes, diced

1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 to 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (optional)

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 baguette, sliced into thick pieces

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 400°F if you plan on toasting the baguette slices in the oven.

2. In a bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, chopped basil, and minced garlic.

3. Add the extra virgin olive oil and if you like, just 1 or 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar to mix it up.

4. Season the tomato mix with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

5. Let the tomato mixture sit for a few minutes to let all those flavors blend together.

6. While that sits, slice your baguette into thick pieces if not pre-sliced.

7. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking tray and pop them in the oven just until they turn slightly golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.

8. Remove the toasted baguette slices from the oven.

9. Spoon the tomato and basil mixture generously over each toasted slice.

10. Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh and tasty treat with friends or family!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven – you’ll need it to toast the baguette slices
2. Mixing bowl – for combining your tomatoes, basil, garlic, and seasonings
3. Knife and cutting board – to dice the tomatoes, chop the basil, mince the garlic, and cut the baguette
4. Baking tray – for arranging the baguette slices in the oven
5. Spoon – to mix the ingredients and to generously spoon the tomato mixture over the toasted bread
6. Timer – to keep track of the 5 to 7 minutes of toasting time

FAQ

Question: Can i use any kind of tomato for this bruschetta?

Answer: Yes, you can use any tomato you like as long as they're really ripe and juicy. Some people even like using a mix of tomatoes for extra flavor.

Question: Is the balsamic vinegar required?

Answer: Not really, its totally optional. You can add it if you want a tangy kick, but it’s fine to skip if you're not a fan.

Question: Should i toast or grill the baguette slices?

Answer: Toasting works best to get a nice crunchy base. Just put the slices in the oven until they’re lightly browned, or toast them on a pan over medium heat.

Question: How can i keep the bread from getting soggy?

Answer: Let the toasted bread cool before piling on the tomato mixture, and serve it pretty soon after assembling so that you get a crisp bite every time.

Question: Can i add different herbs to the mix?

Answer: Sure, you can experiment with a little parsley or oregano, but basil really shines in this recipe so try not to overcrowd the flavor.

Tomato And Basil Bruschetta Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Tomatoes: If you’re out of fresh ripe ones, canned diced tomatoes or even rehydrated sun dried tomatoes will work, they add a similar sweetness.
Fresh Basil: When basil isn’t available, try using fresh oregano or parsley. They bring a different twist but still add a nice herby flavor.
Garlic: In a pinch, you can swap minced garlic for a light sprinkle of garlic powder or even finely minced shallots. It doesn’t taste exactly the same but close enough.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: You can use avocado oil or grapeseed oil instead. They have a different flavor but still give your bruschetta a rich mouthfeel.
Balsamic Vinegar: If balsamic is not on hand, red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar are good substitutes. They give that tangy kick even though the taste might differ a bit.

Pro Tips

1. Try rubbin a clove of garlic on the toasted baguette slices right after they come out of the oven, it really gives ’em a nice deeper flavor.
2. Drizzle a bit more extra virgin olive oil onto the tomato mix if it seems a bit dry, it helps lift the fresh flavors and makes everything taste richer.
3. Let the tomatoes, basil, and garlic sit for at least 5 minutes before topping the bread, that waitin time really helps the flavors mess together.
4. If you’re feelin adventurous, add a tiny splash of lemon juice or even a bit extra balsamic vinegar for a twist on the sweet and tangy balance.

Tomato And Basil Bruschetta Recipe

Recipe by Francis Mead

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

130

kcal

Equipment: 1. Oven – you’ll need it to toast the baguette slices
2. Mixing bowl – for combining your tomatoes, basil, garlic, and seasonings
3. Knife and cutting board – to dice the tomatoes, chop the basil, mince the garlic, and cut the baguette
4. Baking tray – for arranging the baguette slices in the oven
5. Spoon – to mix the ingredients and to generously spoon the tomato mixture over the toasted bread
6. Timer – to keep track of the 5 to 7 minutes of toasting time

Ingredients

4 ripe tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 to 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (optional)
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 baguette, sliced into thick pieces

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400°F if you plan on toasting the baguette slices in the oven.
In a bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, chopped basil, and minced garlic.
Add the extra virgin olive oil and if you like, just 1 or 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar to mix it up.
Season the tomato mix with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Let the tomato mixture sit for a few minutes to let all those flavors blend together.
While that sits, slice your baguette into thick pieces if not pre-sliced.
Arrange the baguette slices on a baking tray and pop them in the oven just until they turn slightly golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
Remove the toasted baguette slices from the oven.
Spoon the tomato and basil mixture generously over each toasted slice.
Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh and tasty treat with friends or family!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.