Bruschetta

Bruschetta is an Italian appetizer made of Italian rustic bread or sourdough loaf. In this recipe, we will use the French baguette. The toppings are made up of olives, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and pinch of salt with white pepper powder. This recipe is often served as an appetizer, especially during the summer time when tomatoes and basil are in season.

Ingredients

Sliced Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, Basil, French Baguette, Pinch of salt and pepper, Cream cheese, Balsamic vinegar and Butter.

Bruschetta is an elegant and easy appetizer to make at home. Plus, it takes a short amount of time to come together. Start with sliced olives, the briny depth of the olives will complement the juicy cherry tomatoes. A splash of balsamic vinegar adds a warm and tangy flavour. Fresh basil adds a unique fragrance on top of the French baguette that will be buttered and toasted to perfection in the oven. Spreading a layer of ricotta cheese adds a sublime creaminess to the bruschetta.

Instructions

Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and place them in a bowl. Add the green olives in the bowl as well. Slice the basil into thirds and place them in the bowl. Prepare the baguette by slicing them 1.5 cm or 0.6 inch thick.

Cut the baguette in a slanted angle to increase the surface area for more toppings. Spread butter on the sliced baguettes and toast them until they are golden in colour and crispy.

Prepare the toppings by adding all the vegetables in a bowl. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar, sprinkle salt and white pepper in the bowl, and gently mix them from bottom-up. Add the cream cheese onto the sliced and buttered bread. Place the toppings on the sliced baguette. Make sure not to overfill them, which may be difficult to eat. Bruschetta is best served immediately. 

Expert Tips

Although bruschetta uses simple ingredients, such as tomato, basil and butter, it is important that they are fresh and colourful to bring out the best taste of bruschetta.  Toasting the bread to golden-brown colour will enhance the crispiness and accentuate the combined flavour of bread and butter. In this recipe, we’ve chosen to use cream cheese instead of ricotta.

It creates a much more elegant and sophisticated dish. It is also easier to eat when you use cream cheese instead of ricotta cheese. Using the freshest ingredients will also elevate the taste of the recipe. If you’re out of balsamic vinegar, you can substitute with Worcestershire sauce.

What other toppings can be used?

Caprese Bruschetta uses fresh mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mushroom Bruschetta uses sautéed mushroom, with garlic, thyme, olive oil, salt and pepper. Olive Tapenade Bruschetta uses a mixture of olives, capers, garlic, olive oil, chopped parsley and lemon zest.

To create an Asiatic flair to this recipe, use soy sauce or hoisin sauce to flavour the cherry tomatoes and switch out the cream cheese with a sharp, aged mature cheddar cheese. Consider topping with slices of fresh figs.

What meals can be served?

Pasta such as carbonara, alfredo or Arrabbiata would be delicious with this appetizer. Caesar salad with grilled chicken, Greek salad with feta cheese, or Simple green salad. Warm soup of any type can bring an additional comfort after having delicious bruschetta.

Grilled meat or seafood can complete a satisfying full course meal as follow-up to bruschetta. Vegetarian options such as Eggplant Parmesan, vegetable stir-fry or stuffed pepper. And that’s it, this delicious and quick appetizer is perfect for lazy afternoons or family gatherings.