Got lots of tomatoes?? Time to make bruschetta!
All of the sudden, it is the beginning of fall, and all of the farm stands and markets are overflowing with fresh, gorgeous, and ripe tomatoes. Heirloom tomatoes are the first perfect ingredient that you will need for bruschetta bravissimo. Since our counter tops are exploding with tomatoes, it is time to invite your friends over for bruschetta.
bruschetta bravissimo
you had me glass of wine or decanter of sangria!
My first introduction to bruschetta was when I was a little girl visiting my Aunt June and Uncle Gene in Toronto. I had never heard of a tomato mixture served on toasted bread. I was immediately hooked for life from the first bite! Somehow it felt so grown up to be enjoying such a decadent treat. The beautiful ripe tomatoes mixed with garlic and oil and vinegar on top of a crisply toasted baguette. To put it another way, PURE HEAVEN!! Bruschetta makes the perfect first bite when your guests are walking in the door. It just does not get much better, especially when it is paired with a glass of wine or a decanter of sangria.
heirloom tomatoes
how to go from amazing to extraordinary!!
It is important to marinate your chopped tomatoes in their oil and vinegar goodness before they are scooped on to your crispy baguettes. I like to begin my bruschetta mixture with a flavored balsamic vinegar and olive oil. I look through my choices in the pantry, and decide which one suits my fancy. This time of the year I really love a fig flavored balsamic vinegar. Now you could serve amazing bruschetta on a plain toasted baguette, but why not make it an extraordinary bruschetta bite?
I prefer to begin my bruschetta with a baguette that has been broiled with garlic butter. Yes, you read that correctly, broiled with garlic butter! It makes every bite mouthwatering! You will make friends for life when you serve this recipe at your next gathering. The marinated tomatoes drizzled on the top of warm garlic bread is a match made in heaven. This is one of the VERY few times that I will go on record to say that it is so incredibly delicious, it does not require cheese! Someone please take my pulse….
dahlias
Bruschetta Bravissimo!
bruschetta bravissimo will be your go to first bite to serve when your friends are coming over – a scrumptious mixture of marinated balsamic tomatoes on a garlic baguette!
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 1 1/2 hours (counting marinade time)
- Yield: 1 baguette 1x
Ingredients
Garlic bread:
1 baguette
1 stick of butter
3 cloves of garlic
Tomato marinade:
2–3 cups of chopped tomatoes (depending on size of tomatoes)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/8 + 2 TB flavored balsamic vinegar
Heavy 1 TB sugar
3 cloves minced garlic
Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the marinated tomatoes;
In a medium sized bowl or covered container mix the flavored balsamic, olive oil, sugar, minced garlic, and salt and pepper
Add chopped tomatoes
Set aside to marinade – for at least an hour if possible
Meanwhile prepare garlic bread:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Mince the garlic and place in the middle of a glass baking dish
Cover the garlic with stick of butter
Place in preheated oven until butter is completely melted
Remove from oven and swirl around with a fork to evenly distribute the garlic
Turn the oven to Broil
Cut the baguette in 3/4″ to 1″ slices
Dip both sides of the bread slice in garlic-butter mixture and place on a baking sheet
Place baking sheet in the oven and WATCH CLOSELY until golden brown ( do not be distracted by funny before dinner jokes from your friends!)
Remove from oven and flip bread to other side
Return to oven and WATCH CLOSELY until golden brown ( still no jokes..)
Let bread cool slightly and top with each slice with marinated tomatoes and place on serving platter
Grate a small amount of cheese on top if desired
Can’t wait to try this. And, I will not get distracted by jokes!
★★★★★
I cannot wait to hear what you think when you try them! I have burned some garlic bread through the years, but I have also heard some funny jokes!!