Bruschetta

This top-rated bruschetta recipe proves that summertime gives you perfectly ripe and juicy tomatoes, one of the best ways to enjoy them is also one of the easiest.

What Is Bruschetta?

Bruschetta (pronounced brew-SKET-tah) is an Italian appetizer or antipasti that starts with a base of toasted or grilled bread. The bread is then served warm either with a topping spooned over or with a topping on the side so each person can build their own bruschetta. Bruschetta is meant to be served as a hand-held finger food, large enough for one or two bites.

How to Make Bruschetta

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Best Bread for Bruschetta

The best bread for bruschetta has a sturdy crust and is firm enough to hold the bruschetta topping. Choose a loaf of Italian bread, such as ciabatta, for a more traditional bruschetta. This recipe uses slices of French bread, like a baguette. Slice the bread on the diagonal at least ¼-inch thick or more to make an oval shape.

How Do You Make Bruschetta?

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here are a few of our favorite tips for making the best bruschetta every time:

· Quality counts: The beauty of a simple recipe like bruschetta is that it showcases the flavor of the individual ingredients. For this recipe, you can really taste the difference when you use ripe tomatoes and fresh (not dried) basil; the best olive oil and balsamic vinegar you can afford, and hand-grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged grated cheese.

· Add flavor with garlic: As an alternative to adding minced raw garlic to the tomato mixture, cut a peeled clove of garlic in half lengthwise and lightly rub the cut side over the slightly roughened surface of the toasted bread to impart a hint of garlic flavor. Rub on a little more garlic for a stronger flavor, if you wish. But watch out: A little garlic goes a long way.

· Be patient: Make the tomato mixture and let it sit for a couple of hours so the flavors can develop more complexity. Yes, the tomatoes may give off a lot of juice as they marinate, but if you think the mixture is too juicy come serving time, simply use a slotted spoon to lift out the bruschetta topping as you spoon it over the bread. Don't toss the liquid, though — lots of people love to dip into it with extra bread. If you're going to top the bread first before serving, save that step until the last minute so the bread doesn't get soggy as it sits.

Classic and refreshing, bruschetta is the crowd-pleasing party app you can always count on. This easy appetizer is proof that sometimes the most simple ingredients are the most delicious. Toasted bread rubbed with garlic is topped with an herby, garlicky tomato mixture in this recipe for the freshest addition to any spread. While this dish is perfect for putting your summer tomatoes to use in the best possible way, you can still make this dish any time of year! Follow our top tips for acing this bruschetta for your summer BBQ or holiday dinner party.

Juicier tomatoes work, but drier varieties like roma are really perfect. In fact, drying tomatoes a bit is key for bruschetta. The key is to keep the toast like toast should be: Dry. When you use juicy tomatoes, you will no doubt get a powerful (and delicious) tomato result, but if the tomatoes are too wet, the toast will be soggy.

You really want a crisp, sturdy base that will hold up your bruschetta tomato mixture without getting soggy. Ciabatta is a popular option, but we went with a large, sliced baguette in this recipe. We toasted our slices until beautifully golden and just crisp enough for the perfect base for our tomatoes. If you prefer to keep your tomato mixture from sliding off the toasted bread, consider a schmear before you top them with the mixture: Think pureed white beans or whipped ricotta.

Tip: Rub your toasted bread with halved garlic cloves to really take things up a notch.