Ingredients
4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
4 large tomatoes, diced
1/4 c. thinly sliced basil
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. kosher salt
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
1 large baguette, sliced ¼" thick on the bias
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
2 cloves garlic, halved
Preparation
Step 1Make marinated tomatoes: In a medium skillet over medium-low heat, heat oil. Add garlic and cook until lightly golden, 2 to 4 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool.Step 2In a large bowl, toss together tomatoes, basil, vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Add garlic and oil from skillet and toss to combine. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes. Step 3Meanwhile, toast bread: Preheat oven to 400°. Brush bread on both sides lightly with oil and place on large baking sheet. Toast bread until golden, 10 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through. Let bread cool for 5 minutes, then rub tops of bread with halved garlic cloves. Step 4Spoon tomatoes on top of bread just before serving.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?Juicier tomatoes work, but drier varieties like roma are really perfect. In fact, drying tomatoes a bit is key for bruschetta. The key is to keep the toast like toast should be: Dry. When you use juicy tomatoes, you will no doubt get a powerful (and delicious) tomato result, but if the tomatoes are too wet, the toast will be soggy. The trick: Salt your tomatoes. After they have been diced, add them to a large strainer or colander over a bowl, and toss with some salt. Let sit 5 minutes, and the liquid will gather at the bottom of your bowl. If you’re preparing bruschetta with out-of-season tomatoes, this salting trick drastically improves their quality! What is the best bread for bruschetta? You really want a crisp, sturdy base that will hold up your bruschetta tomato mixture without getting soggy. Ciabatta is a popular option, but we went with a large, sliced baguette in this recipe. We toasted our slices until beautifully golden and just crisp enough for the perfect base for our tomatoes. If you prefer to keep your tomato mixture from sliding off the toasted bread, consider a schmear before you top them with the mixture: Think pureed white beans or whipped ricotta. Tip: Rub your toasted bread with halved garlic cloves to really take things up a notch. What should I serve with bruschetta? If you’re serving this up as a crowd-pleasing party app, pair it with our toasted ravioli and baked feta bites to complete your spread. Or, serve this as a side to your Italian dinner (hint: our sheet-pan panzanella or creamy chicken marsala would pair perfectly with this refreshing dish). Made this recipe? Let us know what you think in the comments!
