Bruschetta is one of the easiest appetizers to make. In Italian, bruschetta simply means “grilled bread”. There are many variations of bruschetta (depending on the topping), but it usually starts with sliced bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil.
Bruschetta al Pomodoro (or tomato bruschetta) is one of my favorites. It’s always a crowd pleaser. You can certainly make the tomato topping from scratch (tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and basil), but I think the Trader Joe’s Fresh Bruschetta Sauce in the cold deli section is great. I just add some cut up cherry tomatoes and fresh basil and it’s done.
Bruschetta al Pomodoro
14.5 oz. fresh Bruschetta Sauce (from TJ’s)
1 Baguette
1/3 c. chopped Cherry Tomatoes
Fresh Basil (~8 medium leaves)
Olive Oil
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to broil.
2. Slice bread into 1/2 inch slices and arrange on a baking sheet. Brush top sides of bread with olive oil. (I omit rubbing garlic on the bread, as the bruschetta sauce already has quite a bit of garlic). Broil for a couple of minutes until edges of bread turn golden brown. (Watch closely, so not to burn).
3. Add chopped tomatoes and fresh basil to the purchased bruschetta sauce and stir.
4. Serve grilled bread with tomato topping on the side.
I usually serve the tomato topping in a bowl and let guests add the topping to the bread themselves. The bread can get soggy if you pre-assemble.
