From your garden or from the supermarket, fresh tomatoes are one of the joys of summer. They taste fabulous and are so versatile! From sauces to salads, sandwiches to soup, you can dress tomatoes up or keep them plain and simple.
Sometimes it becomes a challenge to use up all of the tomatoes your garden produces. Bruschetta, which is an Italian dish featuring a simple tomato, basil, garlic, and onion topping on sliced and toasted bread, is a fabulous way to use your tomatoes when entertaining.
Here are two recipes for bruschetta - one classic and the other a simple twist on the original. You can dress them up with extra toppings like mozzarella or goat cheese, tangy black olives, or flavored oils if you'd like, but they're delicious just as they are.
Classic Bruschetta (makes about 20 appetizers, depending on the size of your bread)
- 1 loaf good-quality crusty baguette
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
- 2 medium-sized tomatoes, cut into 1/4" cubes
- 12 fresh basil leaves, torn in strips (plus extra whole basil leaves for garnish if desired)
- 2 tablespoons red onion, diced
- salt to taste
Preheat grill to medium-high. You can also do this in a skillet or toaster oven.
Slice the baguette into 1/2" rounds, cut on the diagonal. Brush both sides of bread slices with olive oil. Grill bread for about 2 minutes per side, until browned but still soft inside. Rub one side of each bread slice with the garlic.
Combine tomatoes, basil, onion and salt in a small bowl. Strain mixture so that it won't be too watery. Divide the tomato mixture between the bread slices, garlic side up, and garnish with extra basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately.
Simple Garden Bruschetta
- 1 loaf good-quality crusty baguette
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
- 4 - 6 Roma (plum) tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cucumber, sliced diagonally
- 20-25 fresh basil leaves
- Thinly sliced red onion, separated into rings
- Toothpicks
Prepare baguette as above for Classic Bruschetta.
Top each prepared bread slice, garlic side up, with one slice cucumber, two slices tomato, 1 basil leaf, and one onion ring. Secure toppings with toothpicks and serve immediately.
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These appetizers are perfect with a good Italian wine, or you could even serve them as a side dish for something a little different. They make perfect, portable party fare!
