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Best Tuscan Bruschetta Recipe With 5 Ingredients
Sweet, refreshing, and smooth, this Tuscan Bruschetta recipe is a delightful mixture of sunshine, tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil drizzled over crunchy rustic bread. A favorite appetizer for any occasion that is simple and easy to make.
If you are looking for the best Tuscan Bruschetta Recipe, then this easy recipe with authentic ingredients inspired by the Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour from Florence is for you!
I went on this tour over two years ago and have been making this Italian bruschetta recipe at home ever since. I have experienced making it with many different ingredients, but I always come back to this classic recipe as being my favorite because it is seriously delicious and easy to make.
Whether you just want to whip up a quick snack any day of the week or you are looking for the perfect appetizer for an Italian meal to impress your friends and family, look no further than this Tuscan Bruschetta Recipe.
So grab your appetite and let’s make authentic mouth-watering Tuscan bruschetta.
Best Tuscan Bruschetta Recipe With 5 Ingredients
What Is Bruschetta?
Bruschetta (pronounced broo-skeh-tuh) is a thick slice of rustic bread grilled, rubbed with garlic, and drizzled with olive oil.
Bruschetta comes from the Italian word bruscare which means to roast over hot coals.
Bruschetta originated as a snack to eat during the olive harvest in Tuscany and has now spread all over the world as a delicious appetizer usually with tomatoes, herbs, and other toppings.
Other toppings include sundried tomatoes, artichokes, prosciutto, olives, cheeses, and beans.
In the tradition of cucina povera, bruschetta is a way to use leftover bread so that nothing goes to waste.
When To Serve Bruschetta
The key to perfect bruschetta is in the contrast between the hot bread and the cold tomatoes and between the crunchy crust and the juicy toppings.
For this reason bruschetta has to be served immediately after the bread is taken from the oven and finished with the toppings.
Serve bruschetta as an appetizer when the bread is still hot.
The Ingredients For Tuscan Tomato Bruschetta
The 5 simple ingredients for the tomato topping in the Tuscan bruschetta recipe are:
- Ripe tomatoes
- Tender basil leaves
- Garlic
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt
Make sure to check the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and quantities.
The tomatoes should be very ripe and sweet. Organic heirloom tomatoes are the best. But any tomato will work as long as it is ripe, sweet, and at room temperature.
If you can, grow basil in a pot so that you can always have fresh basil for all your recipes. Use the freshest most tender leaves.
Always use extra virgin olive oil and a high quality sea salt.
You will also need rustic country style bread.
Instructions With Photos
Step 1. Dice the tomatoes. Deseed the tomatoes if desired.
Step 2. Tear the basil into small pieces and combine with the diced tomatoes.
Step 3. Chop the garlic. Sprinkle with salt. Then smash the garlic with the side of a knife to make a paste.
Step 4. Pour olive oil over the tomato, basil, and garlic paste. Add salt. Combine.
Step 5. Slice the bread into slices and toast in the oven until both sides are crunchy but the interior is still soft. Remove from oven and rub with garlic.
Step 6. Using a spoon, put the tomato topping on the bruschetta. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Best Bread Types for Making Bruschetta
Use any leftover rustic bread you have. Whenever I make pane pugliese, I make bruschetta the next day to go with the day old bread.
You can also use fresh rustic bread that you either make at home or buy at the store. The country style bread can be a round loaf or a thick baguette.
The important thing is that the bread has a crunchy crust and and a softer interior.
If you want to create an authentic Tuscan bruschetta, then use Tuscan bread, or pane toscano. But you should know, Tuscan bread is made without salt.
Why Is Tuscan Bread Made Without Salt?
There are many theories about why Tuscan bread is made without salt. One thought is that since salt was so expensive in the middle ages, the frugal Florentines didn’t want to pay for salt.
Another story is that in the 1100s there was a strong rivalry between Florence and Pisa. Pisa had blocked the Florentines from being able to get any salt. Instead of surrendering, the Florentines started making bread without salt.
Whatever the historical reasons, Tuscans now prefer their bread without salt probably because it pairs so well with their rich sauces.
FAQs
Is Bruschetta The Bread Or The Topping?
Bruschetta is grilled bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil. But many people think of bruschetta as the tomato mixture put on top of the toasted bread.
Is Bruschetta Healthy?
Yes, bruschetta is healthy, especially the tomato topping. The ripe juicy tomatoes are filled with antioxidants and vitamins, garlic prevents many diseases, olive oil is a healthy fat and has many health benefits, basil is filled with antioxidants and regulates blood sugar.
Can You Make Bruschetta Tomato Topping Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can make the bruschetta tomato topping earlier in the day and then toast the bread right before you want to serve the appetizer.
How Long Does The Bruschetta Tomato Topping Last?
Bruschetta tomato topping lasts all day. It is best to prepare it and eat it in the same day, but you can keep leftovers it in the fridge over night and eat it the next day. Just make sure to use newly grilled bread.
Time To Eat
Grab some tomatoes, basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, sea salt and rustic bread and prepare to impress your friends and family with authentic Tuscan Bruschetta.
You can make the topping ahead of time and then grill the bread when you are ready to eat. Serve and eat the bruschetta with the tomato topping while the bread is still hot.
Are you wondering what to eat after the appetizer? Look no further than Tagliatelle al Ragù, another Tuscan favorite I learned to make on our tour.
Read how I learned to make bruschetta and tagliatelle al ragu during our Tuscan farmhouse cooking class.
Tuscan Bruschetta Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 large fresh ripe juicy tomatoes
- a small bunch of fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 5 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- sea salt to taste
- 1 loaf rustic style bread
Instructions
- Dice the tomatoes and then put them in a bowl.
- Tear the basil leaves into small pieces and combine them with the tomatoes.
- Chop the garlic. Put a pinch of salt on top and then smear the salt into the flat side of a knife until you create a paste and the juices have released from the garlic.
- Add the garlic paste to the tomato mixture. Add a pinch of salt and the olive oil and mix well.
- Allow the mixture to marry together for about 5 minutes.
- Thickly slice the bread and grill on both sides until both sides are crunchy, but each slice is still soft in the middle.
- Rub or grate garlic over the warm bread, then drizzle with olive oil.
- Spoon on the tomato mixture and enjoy.
