How to make easy tomato bruschetta, the authentic Italian appetizer with fresh basil, plus lots of toppings ideas!
Before I get super excited about this to die for heirloom tomato bruschetta recipe, I’d like to elaborate a little on the subject.
Why? Because there seems to be a lot of confusion out there. It is very simple actually, and today we are going to master how to make authentic homemade tomato bruschetta and crostini.
So, what is bruschetta ?
A grilled slice of crusty bread rubbed with garlic and brushed with a good extra virgin olive oil, then topped with your favorite things. In my case: heirloom tomatoes.
It is basically a rustic open-faced sandwich, one of my favorite things I grew up eating. In other words: the real garlic bread!
What are crostini?
Crostini are just cute, miniature versions of bruschetta. So if you wanted to make tomato crostini, you would use the exact same recipe, just using small baguette slices instead of ciabatta bread.
Let’s talk about the bread!
The best bread is a crusty rustic loaf like ciabatta or country Italian. You want something with texture that holds together nicely to that garlic being rubbed on it and all the tomato juices. No white potato pre-sliced breads allowed. Ever!
This is your ultimate guide to making bruschetta & crostini:
- You grill the bread on both sides on a hot griddle. “ Grill “ being the keyword. Never toast, just grill until charred on both sides but with a soft interior.
- Rub the smoky grilled bread with a garlic clove as much as your taste buds can handle. Don’t be stingy 😉
- Brush it with the best olive oil you’ve got hidden in the pantry.
- Top it with the finest summer tomatoes and delicate herbs.
- Season with sea salt and enjoy with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
The secret lies in using the freshest ingredients of course, but also in grilling the bread! That is the difference between bruschetta and toast. One is grilled, the other one is toasted. Different textures and different flavors.
You guys, there are so many toppings ideas flying through my head, that I actually dream of them. The struggle is real!
Toppings Ideas:
- Roasted Tomato & Burrata
- Whipped goat cheese, herbs and marinated roasted peppers
- Con i funghi ~ Sautéed wild mushrooms
- Olive tapenade and anchovies
- Ricotta, honey and figs
- Mascarpone, melon and prosciutto
- Burrata, strawberry and balsamic glaze
- load it with spoonfuls of whipped ricotta cheese & tomatoes
- sprinkle with salty capers and olives, puttanesca style!
- alla caprese: with pesto and fresh mozzarella di bufala
- grilled shrimp, tomato and basil or oregano
- ricotta, peach and prosciutto
- grilled chicken & tomatoes
An easy, homemade tomato bruschetta recipe, the authentic Italian appetizer!
- 8 slices ciabata or crusty Italian bread
- 1 lb mini heirloom tomatoes mixed colors
- 1/3 c extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/4 c basil leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves
- sea salt to taste
- chive blossoms for garnish (optional)
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
- Heat up a cast iron griddle or pan and grill the bread until nice marks form on both sides. About 3 minutes.
- Rub one side of each grilled slice of bread with a garlic clove to your liking.
Brush some olive oil over the top of each grilled slice of bread and season to taste with sea salt.
Dice or slice the tomatoes into small pieces and spoon them over the grilled bread.
- Drizzle your tomato bruschetta with a lug of olive oil over the top, and season to taste with more sea salt.
- Garnish with the fresh basil, oregano and chive blossoms.
- Finish with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice over the top and enjoy.
You’ll Also Love:
Burrata Bruschetta
Bruschetta Panzanella Salad
Bruschetta, Crostini & Panini
Stuffed Tomatoes
Bruschetta is one of my favorites, and this looks so beautiful with those colorful tomatoes!
Thanks Rachel, I could live on tomatoes and bruschetta all summer long.
You’ve just hit upon one of my pet peeves — actually two — crostini and bruschetta. I think the top one was strawberry Nutella bruschetta dessert. And this from a blogger who is well known. I didn’t say anything — but I WANTED to. Your heirloom tomatoes look delicious!!
hehehe I know that feeling, so difficult to say nothing.