Appetizer
Toast of the Town: Tomato-Basil Bruschetta
Golden baguette toasts meet juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil and a light balsamic finish. This cheerful little appetizer looks fancy but comes together with beginner-level effort.
Grab this
- 1 small baguette (about 250 g), cut into 12 slices
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 4 ripe Roma tomatoes, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Do this
- Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F) and arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet.
- Brush the bread lightly with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until the edges are golden and the centres are crisp.
- While the bread toasts, stir together the tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil, salt, black pepper and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Let the tomato mixture rest for 5 minutes, then spoon off or drain any excess liquid so the toast stays crisp.
- Pile the tomato mixture onto the warm toasts just before serving. Finish with a little extra basil or black pepper if you like.
Easy swaps
- Use halved cherry or grape tomatoes in place of Roma tomatoes.
- For a gluten-free version, choose a certified gluten-free baguette or sturdy gluten-free bread. The standard recipe contains wheat and gluten.
- For a garlic-free version, omit the garlic and add a little extra basil or a pinch of lemon zest.
- Some bakery breads may contain or share equipment with sesame, soy, milk or other allergens, so check the baguette label when allergies are a concern.
- Balsamic vinegar may contain sulfites. If sensitive, check the label or replace it with fresh lemon juice.
- A teaspoon of dried basil can replace fresh basil, although the flavour will be less bright.
Estimated per serving
Nutrition at a glance
- Calories
- 250
- Fat
- 7.4g
- Saturated fat
- 1.1g
- Carbohydrates
- 40g
- Fibre
- 3g
- Sugars
- 5g
- Protein
- 7g
- Sodium
- 450mg
Tomatoes contribute vitamin C and lycopene, while the baguette provides most of this appetizer's carbohydrate energy.
Estimates vary with ingredient brands, substitutions and serving size.