Tomato and Basil Bruschetta
Inspired by techniques from America's Test Kitchen and Serious Eats.
Thick slices of charred country bread rubbed with garlic and piled high with ripe red and yellow tomatoes and fresh basil.
Always check the labels of the products you use.
Method
- 1
Salt and drain. Toss the diced tomatoes with the salt in a sieve set over a bowl and leave for 15 minutes. The salt draws out excess juice, concentrating the flavour and keeping the toast from going soggy. Tip away the juice.
- 2
Dress the tomatoes. Mix the drained tomatoes in the bowl with the basil, 2 tbsp olive oil and the pepper. Shredding the basil finely spreads its aroma through every spoonful without large, wilting leaves.
- 3
Char the bread. Heat the grill pan over high heat, or the oven grill (broiler) to high. Toast the bread for 1-2 minutes a side, until crisp and golden with dark char lines but still soft in the middle. A crisp surface with a tender centre gives the best contrast under the juicy topping.
- 4
Garlic and oil. While the toasts are hot, rub one side of each with the cut garlic, then brush with the remaining olive oil. The rough, hot surface acts like a grater, so the garlic melts into the bread.
- 5
Top and serve. Spoon the tomato mixture over the toasts with a slotted spoon, piling it high, and serve within 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon leaves behind any liquid that collects in the bowl.
Storage
The topping can be made up to 2 hours ahead and kept at room temperature. Leftover topping keeps covered in the fridge for 1 day; let it come back to room temperature before using, and toast fresh bread. Cool leftovers in a shallow container and refrigerate within 2 hours (within 1 hour on a day above 32°C).
Equipment
- large bowl
- sieve
- grill pan, barbecue or oven grill (broiler)
- pastry brush
- slotted spoon
- serving platter
Nutrition per serving (estimated values)
| Per serving | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 366 kcal |
| Protein | 10.1 g |
| Carbohydrate | 47.8 g |
| of which sugars | 7.7 g |
| of which free sugars | 3.7 g |
| Fat | 15.8 g |
| of which saturates | 2.3 g |
| Fibre | 3.7 g |
| Salt | 1.95 g |
Protein per 100 kcal
2.8 g High Protein needs ≥ 10 g
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient values
