Description
A fresh and flavorful Italian appetizer with marinated tomatoes, basil, and garlic served on crispy baguette toasts, drizzled with balsamic glaze for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
- For the Tomato Bruschetta:
- 6 Roma tomatoes (about 1 ½ lbs), diced
- ⅓ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 5 garlic cloves (divided)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
- For the Toasts:
- 1 baguette
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the Tomato Bruschetta Topping: Core and dice the tomatoes (or use a food chopper). Drain any excess juice and transfer the tomatoes to a medium bowl.
- Stack the basil leaves, roll them into a tube, and slice thinly into ribbons. Add the basil to the bowl with the tomatoes.
- Finely mince 5 garlic cloves. Mix 1 teaspoon of minced garlic into 3 tablespoons of olive oil and set aside. Add the remaining garlic to the bowl with the tomatoes.
- Season the tomatoes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir gently to combine. Let the mixture marinate for 30 minutes.
- Make the Bruschetta Toasts: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) with a rack in the center.
- Slice the baguette into ½-inch thick slices, cutting diagonally. Arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Brush both sides of the toasts with the garlic-infused olive oil. Sprinkle the tops with shredded parmesan cheese.
- Bake the toasts at 400°F for 5 minutes, then broil on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Serve: Arrange the toasted bread on a platter and serve the marinated tomato topping in a separate bowl. Spoon the tomato mixture over the toasts and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a bit of red pepper flakes to the tomato topping for a slight kick.
- If you prefer a lighter version, you can skip the parmesan cheese on the toasts.
- The tomato topping can also be made a few hours ahead of time, just keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 toast
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
