Bruschetta al Pomodoro (Tomato and Basil Bruschetta)
Local name: Bruschetta al pomodoro
In short: Slices of grilled rustic bread rubbed with garlic and topped with chopped ripe tomatoes, basil and olive oil. A quick antipasto that needs good bread. It takes about 21 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 6 min
- Total
- 21 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 370 kcal
Bruschetta, pronounced broo-SKET-ta, comes from bruscare, to toast over coals. At its simplest it is grilled country bread rubbed with raw garlic and drizzled with olive oil, and the tomato topping is a summer favorite. The bread should be thick, crisp outside and slightly chewy inside. Make the tomato topping only a few minutes ahead, and spoon it on at the last moment so the bread stays crunchy.
Instructions
- Stir the diced tomatoes, minced garlic, basil, 2 tablespoons of the oil, the salt and pepper in a bowl. Leave for 10 minutes at room temperature so the flavors blend.
- Heat a grill, grill pan or the oven grill to high. Toast the bread for 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden with a few charred spots.
- While the bread is still hot, rub one side of each slice with the cut side of the halved garlic clove. It will grate off like a coarse file.
- Drizzle the garlic side with the remaining oil.
- Spoon the tomato mixture onto the slices with a slotted spoon so the bread does not turn soggy. Serve right away.
Tips
- Drain very juicy tomatoes in a sieve for 5 minutes. The topping should be chunky, not wet.
- For variations, top the toasts with a smear of mashed white beans, chopped olives or a few capers.
Questions and answers
How do you pronounce bruschetta?
Say broo-SKET-ta, with a hard k sound. In Italian, sch is pronounced like sk, so it is not broo-SHET-ta.
Can I make bruschetta ahead?
Make the tomato topping up to 2 hours ahead and keep it at room temperature. Toast the bread and assemble just before serving, or the bread will turn soggy.
What bread should I use for bruschetta?
A rustic loaf with a chewy crumb and thick crust, such as a country loaf or ciabatta. Day-old bread works well, because it toasts crisp without drying out.
How long does it take to make Bruschetta al Pomodoro (Tomato and Basil Bruschetta)?
About 21 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 6 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bruschetta al Pomodoro (Tomato and Basil Bruschetta)?
About 370 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 50 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 370 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 50 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 750 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
