Unless you hate tomatoes, this is a great appetizer to bring to any holiday function. It’s quick and easy to make with fresh ingredients, and the Italian flavors really come together nicely!

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Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Marinating Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 37 minutes

Makes about 24 Bruschetta toasts

For Tomato Bruschetta:

• 6 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, divided
• 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• balsamic glaze, optional

For Toasts:

• 1 baguette
• 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Tomato Topping:

• Dice tomatoes and drain any excess juice. Add to medium sized bowl.
• Stack basil leaves and roll into a tube. Thinly slice into ribbons and transfer to bowl with tomatoes.
• Finely mince 5 garlic cloves. Mix 1 teaspoon of minced garlic into 3 Tablespoons olive oil and set aside. Add remaining minced garlic to the mixing bowl with tomatoes.
• Season tomatoes with 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 Tablespoon balsamic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir gently to combine and set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
• Serve with toasts and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or balsamic glaze.

Bruschetta Toasts:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit positioning the rack in the center of the oven.
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
• Cut baguette into 1/2 inch thick slices, cutting diagonally.
• Arrange toasts on baking sheet and brush garlic infused olive oil on both sides of the toasts.
• Sprinkle tops with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 5 minutes and broil on high heat for 1-2 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

• Use balsamic glaze sparingly, as it can get a little overbearing if you use too much. I do recommend using it though because it does add a nice flavor to the dish.
• You can use any type of baguette for the toasts, but I recommend a French baguette (I know, ironic since it’s an Italian dish). It’s usually the perfect size for the toasts. If you still feel like they’re too big, just cut them in half to serve.

This is a classic recipe that is usually a big hit at gatherings. If you want a smaller batch, simply cut it in half. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!