Sometimes you crave something savory while waiting for the main meal—or even after it’s finished. In many places, cheese or cold cuts might be quickly served, but nowadays, serving tapas is the trend when you want to impress your guests—or simply satisfy your own hunger.
If you want something simple, fresh, and healthy, look no further than Italy’s famous bruschetta. This classic appetizer dates back centuries, possibly to Roman times. The name bruschetta comes from the Italian verb bruciare, meaning “to burn,” referring to the tradition of grilling the bread over a fire.
Ingredients (for about 8 bruschette)
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1 baguette or crusty bread
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4 ripe tomatoes (avoid watery greenhouse tomatoes)
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1 clove garlic
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Fresh basil leaves
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Salt and pepper to taste
Preparing the Tomatoes
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Fill a bowl with boiling water.
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Score a small “X” on the bottom of each tomato.
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Place the tomatoes in the hot water for about one minute, then transfer them to cold water.
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This process makes peeling the skin easy. Remove the skin, then cut away the watery seeds.
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Dice the tomato flesh into small cubes and place them in a bowl.
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Drizzle with some Yakelos olive oil.
Mixing the Topping
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Finely chop fresh basil and stir it into the tomato cubes.
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Season with salt and pepper.
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You can use the mixture immediately or cover and refrigerate it for a richer flavor.
Preparing the Bread
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Slice the baguette into pieces.
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Brush both sides with Yakelos olive oil.
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Grill the bread slices in a grill pan or oven until crispy on both sides.
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Rub each crispy slice with half a clove of fresh garlic.
