Bruschetta, a classic Italian recipe is a simple and delicious toasted bread with countless toppings ideas to pair with it. The toppings are what make a perfect bruschetta, along with choosing the correct bread and then toasting it up. I will show you the best bread for bruschetta, some delicious toppings ideas, and our favorite recipe for it so you can make this delicious appetizer at home.
Bruschetta is a toasted bread that has been part of Italian cuisine for a long time. The word bruschetta actually refers to the bread part of a recipe and not the toppings.
We make lots of this in our house whether it is on the grill or under the broiler, it is on constant rotation here. Both methods by the way are great ways to make this bread.
After grilling or toasting the bread, a good drizzle of olive oil is added to the bread before any toppings go on it.
You can choose to rub the toasted bread with a clove of fresh garlic (which we love to do) or just sprinkle a bit of salt over the top and eat it as is. You can also use our favorite bruschetta recipe (at the bottom of the post) which makes a delicious quick meal!
Origins of Bruschetta
The origins of bruschetta go all the way back to ancient Rome where the Romans used to toast their bread over hot coals. It is said that the Romans would rub garlic on the toasted bread before adding olive oil or toppings.
This simple way of cooking is very in sync with Italian cooking.
For those who are not familiar with the Italian language, the word bruschetta (which is pronounced "broo-sket-ta") comes from the Italian word bruscare which literally means "to toast".
Toasting bread is the key to a good bruschetta whether you toast it over hot coals like the Romans did, on a grill, or under a broiler.
In our house, we fight over who will get the piece with the most burnt edges 🙂
Choosing the perfect bread for bruschetta
Choosing the right bread for bruschetta is simple. You want to make sure you are using hearty and good-quality bread. Here are some ideas:
- Baguette Bread: Baguette is a classic. It is also used to make crostini. Baguette bread toasts up nicely and stays crisp making it ideal for holding toppings
- Ciabatta Bread: Ciabatta bread is a great choice because it is sturdy, the holes in the crumb allow a place for the olive oil to sit and it toasts up well. Ciabatta can toast up unevenly since it has a somewhat curved shape when it is sliced so make sure you give it a nice pressing down before toasting.
- Sourdough Bread: Sourdough bread is a favorite of mine. We always have it on hand, it toasts up beautifully under the broiler and on the grill and it has a nice background flavor of sourdough which I love.
- Focaccia Bread: You may not think of focaccia as a choice but it can toast up really beautifully while staying somewhat soft on the inside. If you like the contrast of a slightly crusty outside and soft inside then this is a great choice.
- Whole Wheat Bread: If you are watching calories or you like the flavor of whole wheat, this is a great choice. Just make sure the whole wheat bread you use is good quality bakery bread, not sandwich bread.
Can you use stale bread for bruschetta?
Another great thing about bruschetta is it is a great way to make sure you are not wasting bread that may be slightly past its shelf life.
If you buy good quality all-natural bread, which is the best bread for making bruschetta, it will have a shorter shelf life and need to be used up quickly.
Making bruschetta with slightly stale bread is perfect. Just make sure the bread you use is not hard. Stale bread will be tough but not hard.
Toppings for bruschetta
While tomato bruschetta is the most well-known version, there are so many more ways to enjoy this Italian appetizer. Remember, bruschetta refers to the bread and how it is made, not the toppings.
We love making a classic tomato bruschetta Italiana or cannellini bean bruschetta or topping it with delicious Swiss chard and cannellini beans mix. You can also use a simple marinara, Italian meat sauce, cheese that is melted on top, mushrooms, sauteed veggies, goat cheese, and fruit.
Anything can go on top of this delicious toasted bread. You can also use this delicious bread to dip into your favorite dips.
We love dipping it into whipped lemon ricotta. It is really delicious and the contrast of the sweet ricotta and the crunchy bread is perfect together.
How to serve
Bruschetta bread is perfect as an appetizer, as part of a light meal like our lemon garlic shrimp, or as a side to farro minestrone, rigatoni Amatriciana, Italian tuna pasta, gnocchi alla Sorrentina and so many other pasta recipes. It is great served warm or at room temperature.
It is best made right before you are ready to eat it so plan for that. I like to make it no more than 30 minutes before I am ready to eat it.
This ensures it stays nice and crisp and doesn't dry out.
Faqs
Any good quality thick sliced bread that is toasted or grilled and drizzled with olive oil is a bruschetta. You can add any toppings to the bruschetta that you like.
Bruschetta is best served warm or at room temperature and best made shortly before you are ready to eat it.
Pairing Ideas
Here are some great pairings to go with this recipe:
Best Bread for Bruschetta (+ Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 6 large slices of Good Italian bread Like boule or ciabatta
- olive oil for drizzling over the bread
- 1 clove of garlic
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Toppings
- 1 cup Marinara warmed. Use your favorite marinara or use the recipe below in the notes.
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Take your good quality Italian bread slices and drizzle it with olive oil. Place under the broiler and toast both sides until they brown (about 1 minute per side).6 large slices of Good Italian bread, olive oil
- When the bread is done toasting, rub the garlic clove over the bread to release the garlic flavor on to the bruschetta. Sprinkle with a little salt.1 clove of garlic, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Toppings
- Add parmesan cheese evenly to the bruschetta slices right when it comes out of the oven and after you rubbed the garlic over the top.½ cup Parmesan cheese
- Now evenly distribute the marinara to the bread.1 cup Marinara
- Serve immediately.
Comments
No Comments