Bruschetta alla Romana
(Italian grilled bread with tomatoes)
Image by Glen Maclarty
Bruschetta, at its most basic, is bread that is grilled and then rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil. Topping these tasty toasts with fresh tomatoes makes a popular Roman antipasto, just perfect for the dog days of late summer.
Although it's often pronounced 'broo-SHET-uh" by English speakers, the correct pronounciation is "broo-SKET-uh." Called fettunta in Tuscany.
6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
- Crusty Italian bread, cut into 1/2-inch slices -- 1 loaf
- Garlic, crushed -- 6 cloves
- Olive oil -- 1/3 cup
- Tomatoes, seeded and diced -- 6 or 7
- Salt and pepper -- to taste
- Fresh basil, shredded -- 1 bunch
Method
- Prepare a grill with hot coals, or set an oven to broil. Grill or broil the bread slices until they are browned and crispy on each side.
- Remove the bread from the grill or oven and rub each piece with the raw, crushed garlic cloves.Arrange the bread slices on a platter and brush each with some of the olive oil.
- In a large bowl, toss the tomatoes with the salt, pepper and any remaining olive oil.
- Spoon some of the tomatoes over each slice of bread. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the bruschetta, sprinkle with the basil and serve immediately.
Bruschetta Variations
- If not serving the bruschetta immediately, serve the tomatoes in a separate bowl and let diners spoon them over the bread themselves.
- Use fresh oregano instead of basil if you like.
- Other Bruschetta Toppings: prosciutto, salami or other cured meats, bean spreads, fresh mozzarella.
