We love freshly baked bread and bruschetta is the way to make a tasty quick appetizer you can enjoy anytime!
We grow our own basil here in Florida, plum tomatoes from our garden, and with a few easy ingredients, you can make this easy recipe.
This Italian food is one of the easiest recipes to make and been around for centuries!
It's similar to having Insalata Caprese which is fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, and fresh basil.
Not hard to make at all.
Just a refreshing salad on garlic toast. Amazing flavors, just remember using the best ingredients is key.
You must use aged balsamic vinegar for a real treat and I personally love a stronger tasting olive oil as well.
If you love appetizers do try our over 30 Fun Appetizer Recipes, perfect for holiday, game day, and family get-togethers.
Make your own variation of bruschetta or the original recipe, scroll down for the recipe, on how to make the best Italian Bruschetta.
Everything Fresh
This appetizer is perfect since you can change the toppings and get so creative with them.
Most local Italian restaurants here only have bruschetta with tomato, mozzarella, and basil.
These can be different every time just using a few of my optional ingredient suggestions and I am sure you will think of even more!
These are perfect for entertaining guests or bringing to any dinner party in a pinch, really easy and quite impressive!
Where Did Bruschetta Come From?
Bruschetta (pronounced as Bru-Sketta) is an Italian appetizer or snack that is served before the meal.
In Italy, it is known as an antipasto.
For anyone who has been to Italy will know that Bruschetta is a staple found on the menu in every restaurant.
Though the Bruschetta is of Italian origin, it has spread around the world and is a very simple recipe, it is also available in different variations.
There can be many variations in toppings such as cheese, cured meat, beans, vegetables, mozzarella, or onion.
Bruschetta originated in Italy during the 16th century
The origin of the dish can be traced back to ancient Rome.
According to some facts that olive growers back in ancient Rome would bring the olives to the local olive press and use a bread slice to
taste the sample of their freshly-pressed oil.
There can be many variations in toppings such as cheese, cured meat, beans, vegetables, mozzarella, or onion.
Bruschetta is known as fettunta in Tuscany.
This variation does not have any toppings except olive oil.
Fettunta is actually served in November and is meant for tasting the season’s first oil.
Use A Good Crusty Bread
I like to make my own Easy No-Knead French or Italian Stick Bread in stick form homemade.
It's a rustic bread that is perfect for this appetizer!
Then slice it in 2 inch thick slices, toast and it's absolutely addicting and delicious bread!
Ingredients you will need:
- crusty baguette bread ( a long stick style)
- fresh basil
- slices of mozzarella cheese
- garlic minced
- extra virgin olive oil
- a good aged balsamic vinegar
- spices are optional, oregano, red pepper flakes
- salt, pepper
- Optional: chopped cooked pancetta, regular bacon, chopped salami, other cheese like provolone or ricotta topping, sliced olives, minced chopped onion or celery, julienne peppers, hot peppers, white beans, and olive oil
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For for the Holiday Season
For those who celebrate the catholic Christmas Eve Holiday, Bruschetta Insalata Caprese is what we love to make because it's meatless.
Of course, you can add any other chopped vegetables, beans with just a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic, you're on your way to a delicious fun appetizer.
Italian Bruschetta with Fresh Basil
Yield: 4
prep time: 5 Mcook time: 5 Mtotal time: 10 M
This is a delicious fresh appetizer called bruschetta. It's crusty bread with cheese, tomato and basil drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
ingredients:
- 1 loaf of Italian stick bread, French bread or baguette or any stick bread will do. This needs to be sliced at least 2 inches thick and rub with garlic on both sides.
- Cut 4 slices of thick bread from the loaf
- 1/4 cup fresh garlic slices or minced fine
- extra virgin olive oil enough to brush each side of the bread and more for drizzling
- 4 thick slices of fresh whole milk mozzarella sliced or cubed very small
- 4 leaves fresh Italian basil
- 4 slices l fresh tomatoes slices plum or vine ripe ( or use them sliced thin or chopped fine)
- aged balsamic vinegar I usually buy 18 years aged) for drizzling
- Optional Seasoning: granulated garlic powder for more garlic flavor and grated cheese, red pepper flakes, and oregano
- Optional Toppings: chopped cooked pancetta, regular bacon, chopped salami, other cheese like provolone or ricotta topping, sliced olives, minced chopped onion or celery, julienne peppers, hot peppers, white cannellini beans, or chickpeas crushed with olive oil
instructions:
- Make garlic toast. Just double the recipe if you want more and follow the same instructions:
- Slice the bread, brush each side with one tablespoon of olive oil on each slice, and place on a cookie sheet.
- Sprinkle the tops of the bread evenly with finely minced chopped garlic or use powder.
- Lightly sprinkle with and grated cheese and oregano if using.
- They add some salt and pepper on both sides and the red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
- Bake on 430-degree hot oven until light brown, watch carefully or you will have croutons!
- This takes around 3 to 5 minutes to lightly toast the bread. For a crispier toast leave it in a few minutes longer.
- Take out.
- Top the bread with a slice of sliced tomato then fresh mozzarella.
- Sprinkle more olive oil over top, drizzle with a really good grade balsamic vinegar(mine was aged 18 years), salt pepper to taste.
- Add a fresh basil leaf to each one and voila you have a delicious bruschetta!
Calories
178
178
Fat (grams)
4
4
Sat. Fat (grams)
4
4
Carbs (grams)
15
15
Fiber (grams)
6
6
Net carbs
11
11
Sugar (grams)
4
4
Sodium (milligrams)
9
9
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More Recipes To Try
Fried Provolone
Fried Cauliflower
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Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2009. It was edited and re-published in 2020.
I love your bruschettas! They sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteOh I so enjoy bruschetta.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny....I just had this at a BBQ today, minus the bread. It was basically a caprese salad (mozarella & tomato) with fresh spinach, all tossed with olive oil. I'll have to try it out on Bruschetta now. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a simple lovely treat!
ReplyDeletemmmm I love bruschetta's! yours looks amazingly delicious
ReplyDeleteIt looks delicious! Thank you for the recipe :-)
ReplyDeleteI could it this every day...
ReplyDeletei love it with all the fresh ingredients!
ReplyDeleteJust incredible. Thatsa nice! I love it,
ReplyDeletealbert
Pizza on Earth...
What perfect little treats! I love the one with the cheese :-)
ReplyDeleteI feel so italian I just fed these to my husband and neighbors and enjoyed them myself you have the best recipe by far!
ReplyDelete