Simple Bruschetta

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If you’re looking for something different to serve your guests, consider this Italian classic: Bruschetta. This dish is simple to make and can be tailored to your guests’ tastes. This appetizer is nice because it can serve many people and is super inexpensive to make!

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It is summer here on the farm and that means one thing – Jersey Tomatoes are in season. For tomato lovers, we wait for tomato season here in New Jersey like a kid waiting for Santa to arrive on Christmas Day. There is nothing like a Jersey Tomato! So naturally, when tomato season rolls around, tomato lovers enjoy every single bite.

I love to whip up a batch of simple bruschetta, especially on a hot summer’s day. In fact, the hubby and I will make a meal of it, because honestly, who wants to heat up the kitchen when you are working outside all day – #farmlife! And before I hop off my soap box, support your local farmers’ market, we can’t do what we do without your support.

What is Bruschetta?

Bruschetta is an Italian appetizer that typically consists of grilled bread that is topped with olive oil, tomatoes, and other toppings. The dish can be served cold or hot, depending on your preference.

Bruschetta is nice because it serves a group of people who may like to eat different things! Bread is a universal love language for many people, so it makes sense to take advantage of that and feed it to your guests whenever possible.

Ingredients Needed to Make Brushetta

You can easily prepare this Brushetta using just a few ingredients that you might already have on hand!

• Tomatoes. Make sure these tomatoes are finely diced for this recipe.
• Olive Oil. You could also use vegetable oil if you don’t have olive oil on hand.
• Garlic. I always recommend using fresh garlic, but you could also use garlic powder.
• Fresh Basil Leaves. You could also use dried basil leaves, but fresh is always best
• Balsamic Vinegar. You could also use red wine vinegar.
• Baguette. I like to use a baguette that is slightly stale. If you can’t find one, you could always put the baguette in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes to help stale it out.
• Parmesan. You could also use romano cheese.

Can I use a different type of bread?

Yes! If you don’t have a baguette on hand, you could use ciabatta bread, sliced sourdough bread, or even crostini.

How should I serve this Bruschetta dish?

You can serve the Bruschetta as an appetizer or even as a main dish. If you’re serving it as an appetizer, I would recommend serving 4-6 pieces per person. If you’re serving it as a main dish, I would recommend 8-10 pieces per person.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the Bruschetta ahead of time. I would recommend making it no more than 2 hours ahead of time so that the bread doesn’t get too soggy.

What are some other toppings I could use?

If you want to change up the toppings, you could try using:

• sautéed mushrooms
• caramelized onions
• spinach
• bell peppers
• olives
• feta cheese
• goat cheese
• mozzarella
• or even pepperoni!

The sky is the limit when it comes to toppings, so use your imagination!

How to Pack This Brushetta for a Party to Go

If you’re taking this Brushetta to a party, I would recommend packing the toppings and bread separately. This way, you can put the toppings on right before you’re ready to serve.

The next time you’re looking for a simple appetizer to please a crowd, look no further than this Bruschetta recipe! It’s easy to make and can be tailored to your guests’ tastes. Give it a try at your next gathering!

More Easy Recipes To Make

• Corn & Zucchini Fritters
• Award-Winning Peach Breakfast Danish
• Pineapple Pico de Gallo
• Tomato, Corn & Basil Salad

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Yield: 6 servings

Bruschetta

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

If you're looking for something different to serve your guests, consider this Italian classic: Bruschetta. This dish is simple to make and can be tailored to your guests' tastes. This appetizer is nice because it can serve many people and is super inexpensive to make!

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Ingredients

• 4 Tomatoes, finely diced
• 1/3 cup Olive Oil
• 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
• Salt and Pepper, to preference
• 1/4 cup Basil Leaves, cut into strips
• 1 Baguette
• Parmesan, as desired

Instructions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool as you prepared the tomatoes.
3. Finely dice tomatoes and place them in a medium-sized bowl.
4. Pour the garlic-infused olive oil into the bowl, along with the balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and basil.
5. Stir to combine and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven to 400F.
7. Slice the baguette into 1.5" slices. Brush both sides of each slice with olive oil and place on an ungreased baking sheet.
8. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until golden.
9. Top the baguette slices with the tomato mixture and then garnish with Parmesan cheese, as desired.
   

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