How to Cook Bruschetta

Bruschetta is full of flavor and nutrition.

Bruschetta is an Italian classic that is easy to make and enjoy. Bruschetta is a simple dish that involves placing a tomato-based mixture on small pieces of bread. The beauty of bruschetta is that you can modify the mixture and add whatever ingredients you desire. Bruschetta is perfect for a light lunch or an appetizer before dinner and doesn't take much time to make. As long as you like tomatoes and bread, you'll enjoy bruschetta.

Things You'll Need

• Plum tomatoes
• Boiling water
• Garlic

Show (6) More

Instructions

1. • 1
     Place 6 whole, plum tomatoes in boiling water for one minute to assist in peeling the skin. Pull the tomatoes out of the water and score an "X" with a sharp knife on both ends. Grab skin around the X marks and pull until all the tomato's flesh is exposed.
   • 2
     Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds with a spoon. Gently squeeze the tomato as well to remove extra juice. Dice the tomatoes and two cloves of garlic finely. Mix the two, along with a dash of salt and pepper, 1 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil and 1 tsp. of balsamic vinegar in a bowl. Chop six to eight basil leaves and add the herb to the mixture as well.
   • 3
     Turn your oven on to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and move your rack to the top position. Slice the baguette into ½-inch thick slices -- cut the bread on a diagonal to increase the bread's surface area and to give it a chic look. Dip a pastry bush into the olive oil and coat one side of each slice with the oil.
   • 4
     Arrange the slices on a baking sheet with the olive oil sides down. Leave them in the oven for 5 or 6 minutes, or until the bread is golden and crispy.
   • 5
     Spoon the mixture on top of the bread slices right before you serve the bruschetta. You can also place the mixture into a serving bowl next to the bread and allow your guests to assemble the bruschetta themselves.

     
     

     Tips & Warnings

• • Rub raw garlic onto the bread slices before toasting them to add some flavor.
  • Add meat, such as chicken to the mixture, or gorgonzola cheese. Prosciutto and olives also make for good additions
    .