❤ Valentine’s Day 2014 Featured Post ❤
As an avid traveler to Italy, I fell in love with the simplicity of Italian foods.
While Italian bruschetta (sounds like “brew-ske-tuh“) may sometimes omit the tomato mixture, this is my own recipe for making a tasty and simple tomato bruschetta that’s sure to “complete you,” (hence the recipe’s name – a personal term of endearment). I usually serve this bruschetta as an appetizer, although I’ve been known to enjoy a few slices as my main course as I love tomatoes and bread.
Foodie Tips:
I found my ciabatta at my local Austin HEB. It comes in loaves or mini-loaves. I prefer to buy the thickest loaves I can find. If you have a personal favorite Austin artisan bread company that you like, share the love.
I strive to serve my bruschetta fresh out of the oven. I know I’ve prepared my bruschetta perfectly when the bread is warm and the tomatoes are just a bit cool; it’s a great combination! You can also serve this dish at room temperature. To prevent soggy bread, top the toasted bread with the tomato mixture just before serving.
Ingredients:
3 | Roma Tomatoes, Seeded and Chopped 1 | Garlic Clove, Peeled and Pressed (or minced) 6-8 | Fresh Basil Leaves, Torn by Hand 1-2 Tablespoons | Extra Virgin Olive Oil (use the good stuff) To Taste | Kosher Salt and Fresh Cracked Black Pepper Loaf | Ciabatta Bread, Sliced Horizontally Then Sliced Into Serving Pieces Splash | Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2-3 | Garlic Cloves, Peeled and Cracked (yields 4-6 pieces of bread)
What To Do:
1. In a medium-sized bowl stir the tomatoes, fresh minced garlic, basil, oil, salt and pepper. Set aside and let marinate 20-30 minutes.
2. About 20 minutes into the marination, preheat your oven to high/broil.
3. Place your sliced ciabatta on a cookie sheet lined with foil and place a tiny splash of more olive oil on top of the bread.
4. Toast the bread in your oven for 3-5 minutes (please, no burning).
5. While your bread is in the oven, stir your marinated tomatoes then pop them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to chill a bit.
6. Remove the bread from the oven. Rub 1-2 slices of bread with a cracked piece of garlic (with fork or hand) and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Rub new cracked garlic cloves on the remaining bread slices (1 garlic clove will yield 1-2 slices of bread).
7. Top bread with your fresh tomato mixture and serve.
Buon appetito!
~ Joe Paul Reider
Home Style Austin Founder Austin Realtor® Keller Williams Realty, Inc.
❤ Love Valentine’s Day? Visit our post called “Valentine’s Day The Home Style Way” for our ideas for how to make your day extra special at home. We’re pairing our favorite appetizer, main course, desserts and wine along with some great “at-home” movie recommendations sure to melt hearts.
