Fresh Summer Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

Daniel Gritzer
Fresh Summer Tomato Bruschetta Recipe
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  • Yield:Makes 8 toasts
  • Active time:15 minutes
  • Total time:15 minutes

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

These classic Italian tomato-topped toasts should be made only when tomatoes are at the peak of their season; the rest of the year, it's better to try my awesome oven-roasted recipe using canned tomatoes. The secret to this version is to use a mix of ripe heirloom varieties, and rub the garlic on the toasts instead of folding it into the tomatoes for a more even and less harsh garlic flavor.

Why It Works

It's all about the tomatoes. Read the Whole Story
  • Using a combination of different tomatoes adds lots of color and a better balance of tomato flavor.
  • Skipping the pre-salting step prevents excess liquid from seeping out of the tomatoes.
  • Wine vinegar is a better choice for adding acidity, unless you have true balsamic available.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds (680g) best-quality, in-season fresh tomatoes, preferably a mix of varieties, cored and diced (see note above)
  • 15 large basil leaves, thinly sliced into a chiffonade
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for the tomatoes and toasts
  • Red or white wine vinegar or true balsamic vinegar, to taste (optional; see note above)
  • 8 medium slices freshly toasted bread
  • 3 medium cloves garlic, halved
  • Finishing sea salt (such as fleur de sel), kosher salt, or flaky salt (such as Maldon)

Directions

  1. 1.

    In a large bowl, combine tomatoes with basil and enough olive oil to generously coat. If using wine vinegar, add a splash. Toss gently, taste, and add more wine vinegar if desired.

  2. 2.

    Rub garlic cloves on top surface of each toast; rub only as much as you want. (More will make the toasts more garlicky, while a lighter hand will deliver a more mild flavor.) Drizzle olive oil on each toast and season with salt.

  3. 3.

    Spoon tomatoes onto each toast, including any liquid that has accumulated. Season generously with salt. If using true balsamic vinegar, drizzle it sparingly on top. Serve right away.

Daniel Gritzer
Culinary Director

Daniel cooked for years in some of New York's top American, Italian and French restaurants - starting at the age of 13, when he began staging at the legendary restaurant Chanterelle. He spent nearly a year working on organic farms in Europe, where he harvested almonds and Padron peppers in Spain, shepherded a flock of more than 200 sheep in Italy, and made charcuterie in France. When not working on, thinking about, cooking and eating food, he blows off steam (and calories) as an instructor of capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian martial art.

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