Roasted Tomato Basil Toast (Printable Version)
Sweet roasted tomatoes paired with basil on crisp toasted bread, ideal for light meals and snacks.
# What You'll Need:
→ Tomatoes
01 - 1 lb ripe cherry or plum tomatoes, halved
02 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
03 - ½ tsp sea salt
04 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Toast
05 - 1 rustic baguette or ciabatta loaf, sliced into 12 pieces
06 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
→ Topping & Garnish
07 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled
08 - 16 to 20 fresh basil leaves, chopped or torn
09 - ½ tsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
10 - Sea salt, to taste
11 - Black pepper, to taste
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss halved tomatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet, cut side up.
03 - Roast for 20 to 25 minutes until tomatoes soften and start to caramelize. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
04 - Brush both sides of bread slices with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Place on a separate baking sheet and toast in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp.
05 - While toast is still warm, gently rub one side of each slice with peeled garlic cloves to impart flavor.
06 - In a bowl, gently combine roasted tomatoes with chopped basil and balsamic vinegar if using. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Spoon the tomato mixture onto the garlicky toasts. Garnish with extra basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The roasting magic turns ordinary cherry tomatoes into something sweet and concentrated, almost like candy made from the garden.
- It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you've been cooking all morning.
- One batch feeds a crowd, and people always ask for the recipe before they ask for seconds.
02 -
- Don't skip letting the roasted tomatoes cool for a minute or two; the warmth from the oven continues to cook the basil, turning it dark and bitter.
- The bread needs to stay crispy, so assemble everything just before serving—soggy toasts ruin the whole experience.
03 -
- The fresher your basil, the brighter and more alive your bruschetta will taste; buy it the day you plan to cook if you can.
- If your baguette isn't quite as crispy as you'd like after toasting, a light brush with olive oil before serving helps restore its crunch and adds another layer of richness.