April 16, 2021

Homemade Bruschetta

The easiest side dish for any meal has to be this delicious homemade bruschetta, which is basically garlic bread topped with fresh tomato, basil, and extra olive oil. They’re so easy to make and super delicious.

The first thing to do is to pick your bread. I love to use baguettes, typically those that are a little stale and hard. This makes it easier to rub the garlic on the bread. You could, however, use pretty much any type of bread you want. I’ve done it with my homemade artisan bread and challah and both times were so so good.

For toasting purposes, I use my oven but you could also use a cast iron pan if that suits you. If you have to use a toaster, it works, but it’s better in the oven or in a pan. Basically, you’re going to slice the bread however you like and brush it with olive oil. Then you peel a garlic clove and rub it on both sides of the bread, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the bread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake it on the bottom rack until toasted. You also throw the garlic on the baking sheet so it can soften and roast a little.

Then, you combine some diced tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, your roasted garlic, and tons of fresh basil. You can pretty much dice any type of tomato, but the basil is pretty much mandatory. It brings an amazing freshness and herbiness (if that’s even a word) to the bruschetta. So so good.

You could make this alongside my chicken pesto mozzarella wraps, lemon dijon salmon, and my dad’s grilled filet mignon. Or, whatever you want! It works great for dinner parties and you can everything in advance, then just put the tomatoes on the bread last minute so it doesn’t get soggy. Now, for the recipe.

Ingredients

8 slices of stale baguette or bread of choice
2-3 tbsp olive oil
salt
pepper
6 garlic cloves
3 cups diced tomato
1/4 cup chopped basil

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Brush each slice of bread with olive oil and both sides. Then, sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides as well and rub with the garlic clove. Make sure to coat the crust as well.
Place the bread slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet alongside the garlic cloves (peeled, but still whole). Next, bake on the bottom rack for 4 minutes. Then, take it out and flip the bread over, before baking for another 2 minutes until fully toasted.
In a bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, some olive oil, basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Mince the baked garlic and add it as well. Mix, then top the bread slices with this mix and garnish with more basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and some salt. Enjoy!

Homemade Bruschetta

The easiest side dish for any meal has to be this delicious homemade bruschetta, which is basically garlic bread topped with fresh tomato, basil, and extra olive oil. They're so easy to make and super delicious.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Total Time 16

Course Appetizer, Dinner, Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8 bruschetta

Calories 111 kcal

Ingredients

8 slices stale baguette or bread of choice
2-3 tbsp olive oil
salt
pepper
6 cloves garlic
3 cups diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped basil

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Brush your bread slices with olive oil on both sides, then sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Then, rub both sides with a peeled garlic clove. Make sure to get the crust too!
Put the bread slices coated in the oil, salt, pepper, and garlic on a parchment-lined baking sheet along with the rest of the garlic cloves (peeled and whole).
Bake in the oven on the bottom rack for 4 minutes, then take it out, flip the bread, and bake for another 2 minutes or until completely toasted.
Then, mince your baked garlic and add it to a bowl with your diced tomatoes, a little bit of olive oil, some salt, pepper, and the basil.
The final step is to top the toasted bread with your tomato mix and drizzle with extra olive oil! Then, garnish with some basil, salt, and enjoy!