How to Make Bruschetta

Bruschetta makes for a perfect appetizer or afternoon snack. The word bruschetta comes from an Italian term, which means "to roast over coals". Hence, the important part of this recipe is to toast the bread. It is one of the most famous Italian appetizers. A bread can be toasted either in a toaster, broiler or even on a grill. Once you know the recipe for bruschetta, you will understand, that making bruschetta is easy and simple and it does not require a number of ingredients. You more often than not will be able to make it from the normal ingredients available at home.

Making Bruschetta ...

... with Mozzarella
This is my favorite method of making bruschetta. Using this recipe, you will be able to make amazing bruschetta and have it topped with the ever favorite mozzarella cheese.

Ingredients

• Italian Bread (cut into slices of 1 inch thickness)
• Tomatoes (finely chopped) 2
• Mozzarella Cheese (grated) ¼ cup
• Virgin Olive Oil 2 tablespoons
• Fresh Basil (chopped) 1 teaspoon
• Fresh Parsley (chopped) 2 teaspoons
• Sweet Onion (chopped) ½
• Fresh Oregano (chopped) 1 tablespoon

Method

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Till the oven is heating, in a bowl combine tomatoes, olive oil, onion, oregano, parsley and basil.
• Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet and place one spoon of tomato mixture on the slices evenly.
• Top it with the grated cheese and place it in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
• You will have to check the bottom of the bread slices to know if the bruschetta is ready. The bottom of the slice should be brown in color.
• Once it is done, let the bruschetta stand for about 4 to 5 minutes on the baking sheet and serve it warm.

... with Fresh Tomatoes
Summer is the time for ripe and nice tomatoes. We will now see, how to make bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, so that we make use of these nice tomatoes.

Ingredients

• Roma Tomatoes (diced) 6
• Green Bell Pepper (chopped into small pieces)
• Red Onion (finely chopped) 1
• Garlic (minced) 6 cloves
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 tablespoons
• French Baguette 1 loaf
• Cilantro ½ cup
• Provolone Cheese 10 slices
• Italian Seasoning (as per choice)
• Salt to taste

Method

• In a bowl combine tomatoes, pepper, onion, garlic, cilantro and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Also add salt and Italian seasoning to the tomatoes and mix well.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. When the oven heats, place French baguette slices in the oven on the baking sheets.
• Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and Italian seasoning in a bowl and brush both the sides of bread slices with it.
• Place the bread again in the oven, till it starts browning.
• When the bread slices begin to brown, remove them from the oven and top them with one spoon of tomato mixture and a small piece of Provolone.
• Place the bread back in the oven and remove it when the cheese on it begins to bubble and is slightly brown in color.

... with Balsamic Vinegar
This is another of my favorite recipes for bruschetta. This recipe differs from the other recipes is that it is the recipe in which there is an added taste of balsamic vinegar, and the fact that raw tomatoes are not added to the recipe. Have a look at Italian cooking.

Ingredients

• Ripe Plum Tomatoes 7
• Garlic (minced) 2 cloves
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 tablespoon
• Balsamic Vinegar 1 teaspoon
• Fresh Basil Leaves (chopped) 6
• Italian Bread 1 loaf
• Olive Oil ¼ cup
• Salt as per taste
• Freshly Ground Pepper as per taste

Method

• Parboil the tomatoes for about a minute in boiling water.
• De-skin the tomatoes, cut them into half and remove the seeds and juices from the tomatoes.
• While you do the other preparations, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Chop the tomatoes finely. Then in a bowl mix tomatoes, garlic, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. After you have mixed them well add chopped basil, salt and pepper to the tomatoes.
• Slice the bread into ½ inch thick slices.
• Coat one side of the slice with olive oil and place that side down on the baking sheet.
• Toast the slices, till the bread begins to brown.
• Remove the bread from the baking sheet and place the tomato mixture on the olive oil side of the bread evenly and serve them.

Since the time I have learned, how to make bruschetta, I try different combinations of making the bruschetta. I like to top the bruschetta with olives, mushrooms, baby corns, etc. You will have to try the different versions and see, which is your best recipe.