If I’m being honest I have to tell you that I don’t really like tomatoes.
I DO love salsa, fresh guacamole with tomatoes in it, tomato sauce, pico de gallo, and sometimes I like them chopped up in salads. Sometimes. And only if there’s bacon in said salad.
Oh, and I do love bruschetta. It’s so simple and delicious and brings the true flavors of the ingredients to life.
Also, don’t judge me…I used basil-in-a-tube. As much as I love basil and as much as I wish I could grow some, I just can’t bring myself to spend $5 for a small bunch of the stuff. Call me cheap, but there’s no justification in it. That’s mighty pricey for a little bundle of herbs!
Regardless, I took a big leap of faith in not chopping the tomatoes and broiling them instead. I took a chance that the basil would be good under the cheese. I took a chance on the cheese being a good part of the entire combination. Oh, and I didn’t add garlic.
I was scared.
But this deconstructed deliciousness proved me wrong, and I just don’t know if I can ever go back!
DECONSTRUCTED WARM BRUSCHETTA
- 2 large fresh tomatoes (mine were beefsteaks that I got from the always amazing Door-to-Door Organics)
- 4 Tbsp chopped basil, fresh or tube
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp) freshly grated parmesan cheese
- sea salt
- 8 slices ciabatta bread (you could use French if you like), toasted
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Turn the oven on to broil. Slice the tomatoes into 8 slices and lay on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with a little sea salt on each slice and place under the broiler for 3-4 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle each slice with 1/2 Tbsp of basil and 1 Tbsp of parmesan cheese. Place back under the broiler for about 2-3 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Remove from oven and set aside. Drizzle the slices of bread with the olive oil and toast under the broiler until just starting to brown. Place one tomato slice on one slice of bread. Serve warm.
This is KILLER. I’m telling you, I might re-examine my love of tomatoes. But only when it comes with basil, cheese, and bread.
Two things:
1. I dislike tomatoes as well. I like them cooked, but not raw.
2. I made this for girl’s night tonight and everyone loved it! Even the tomato haters like me. 🙂
this looks amaaaaazing right now. definitely wanna try this!
I love it. Another use for all those tomatoes I’m growing.
We love bruschetta this way! Do you have a Trader Joe’s nearby? If you do, get there now and buy some of their brown tomatoes. They’re not really brown, just a dark greenish red. Until the garden tomatoes are ready, these are the only tomatoes I’ll eat. You’ll love them, I’m sure!
I feel the exact same way about tomatoes. I actually learned to like them raw in bruschetta. This looks yummy!
I see nothing but deliciousness=D
This is the perfect way to use sweet summer tomatoes. Perfect appetizer for a last-minute dinner party.
Those look delicious!
This looks so yummy! I adore fresh basil, but have never tried the basil-in-a-tube. I might have to try it in the winter. I’m with you, though, I hate paying more than $3 for fresh herbs at the store. You can get a whole plant for that at Home Depot.
We tried to grow basil. The snails got it. I bought a $5 bag yesterday. Guilty. Ughhh so pricey! I should buy a tube. This looks great! I am making a pizza version of this this week (why i bought the pricey basil) but these little bites are such a great idea for snack time!!
Man, my stomach is growling now! This looks soooooo good! I love tomatoes so perfect for me.
Going to make this for dinner. Tasty!
I adore tomatoes so this looks amazing. I really need to get on this herbs in a tube thing!
I use those herb tubes for basil/cilantro etc. especially when the fresh ones are SOOO expensive! They do last quite a while in the fridge in my experience. 3 – 4 weeks probably!
So yummy! Anything with cheese is better in my book. 🙂
Looks SO good!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love tomatoes though!
I’ve always wondered if those tube herbs are any good! Do they last a long time?
Yum!! This sounds delicious. But I would definitely add garlic in mine because I love it. Anything with melted cheese is great!
Love this!! Warm bruschetta is so yummy 🙂
That looks awesome. I’m going to try that! I love brushetta. And I totally know what you mean about basil, I’m hoping the stuff in my garden grows because I can never justify buying it 🙁 I should take a look at the tubes, does the basil taste good? How long is it good for?
Fun! I too love bruschetta but can be skiddish when it comes to plain tomatoes. They don’t always have the best flavor.
Love the idea of warm bruschetta!
I love those herb tubes! I usually try to get basil from the farmer’s market because it’s cheaper, and I like fresh basil, but I use those tubes all the time for ginger or garlic! It’s so much easier than chopping up fresh ginger and it has great taste.
I’ve never attempted to make bruschetta on my own but this has just inspired me! LOoks like an amazing little appetizer!
These look similar to a caprese flatbread I make. I love the broiling idea – cooked tomatoes have so much more flavor (IMO)!
Love this!! I have never seen that basil in a tube – would be great in the winter when there is no fresh stuff around. Or for convenience any time 😉
Round 2 of Get Grillin’ is here….we would love if you submitted this recipe & any two other side dishes to this week of the Get Grillin’ event that Cookin’ Canuck and I am hosting 🙂
This looks amazing!
I do love tomatoes but I’d also love this! It’s like pizza and bruschetta had a love child:-)
Aw, these are such little cuties!
Hey, anything with broiled cheese is a-okay with me 🙂