The story
Bruschetta is rooted in Central Italy, with variations throughout the country. Bruschetta grew from the simple practice of grilling or toasting bread and rubbing it with garlic before dressing it with olive oil. The name is commonly linked to the central Italian verb bruscare, meaning to toast or roast over coals; tomato-topped versions are now internationally famous but are only one branch of the tradition. Bruschetta is famous because a few ingredients create a vivid contrast: crisp warm bread, fruity olive oil, garlic and, in the best-known version, ripe tomato and basil. Its simplicity also exposes ingredient quality, so good bread and olive oil matter immediately. Traditionally, bruschetta fits naturally into informal eating and antipasti, and it is also associated with tasting newly pressed olive oil in producing regions. It demonstrates an Italian habit of beginning with excellent raw materials rather than hiding them beneath complicated preparation.
Ingredients
- Main
- 1 portion Tomato bruschettaTomato bruschetta
- 0.25 piece red onion½ Small red onion finely chopped
- 4 piece tomatoes8 Medium tomatoes
- 500 gram coarsely and drained(about 500g) coarsely chopped and drained
- 1 piece Garlic cloves2-3 Garlic cloves crushed
- 3 piece Leaves of basil6-8 Leaves of fresh basil finely chopped
- 15 millilitre Balsamic vinegar30ml Balsamic vinegar
- 30 millilitre Extra virgin olive oil60-80 ml Extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 piece Loaf crusty bread1 Loaf crusty bread
Method
Method
In a large bowl mix the onion, tomatoes, garlic and basil, taking care not to mash or break up the tomatoes too mush. Add the balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix again. Cover and chill for at least an hour. This will allow the flavours to soak and blend together. Slice the baguette lengthwise diagonally into 12 thick slices and lightly toast them until they are light brown on both sides. Serve the mixture on the warm slices of bread. If you prefer the mixture at room temperature, remove it from the fridge half an hour before serving.
Nutrition
per serving
Estimated nutrition for Bruschetta; use as editorial/testing data and refine from exact ingredient weights if needed.
