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Homemade Balsamic Bruschetta

Bites of fresh plum tomatoes soaked in homemade balsamic vinaigrette with fresh basil over crunchy, toasted baguette - your guests will stay for the entree but leave talking about the appetizer!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Keyword easy appetizers for entertaining, fresh brushcetta, italian appetizers
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings 24 pieces
Calories 103kcal
Author Lauren

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil plus extra for bread
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons shallots minced
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt divided
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh black pepper
  • 3 pounds plum tomatoes diced
  • ¼ cup fresh basil chiffonade
  • 1 baguette sliced ½" - ¾" thick pieces
  • Optional: 8-ounce ball fresh mozzarella diced in bite sized pieces

Instructions

Balsamic Vinaigrette:

  • In a food processor, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, shallot, garlic, dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt and black pepper. Pulse to combine. Pulse 5 to 6 additional times to emulsify the olive oil and dressing begins to thicken just slightly.

Tomatoes:

  • In a large bowl, add tomatoes and sprinkle with remaining ½ teaspoon. Let sit while you assemble the vinaigrette.
  • Add balsamic vinaigrette and fresh basil to diced tomatoes. Stir to combine, making sure all tomatoes are coated with vinaigrette. Tomatoes are ready for consumption once put together, but flavor and texture is best if left to sit refrigerated overnight.
  • Optional: Add diced fresh mozzarella when combining vinaigrette and tomatoes.

To assemble:

  • Slice baguette in ½" to ¾" inch pieces. Arrange pieces on a baking sheet. Brush with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Toast bread at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes until outside edges are golden brown.
  • Using a slotted spoon, scoop tomatoes onto each piece of toast so tomatoes are slightly stacked on top of each other. Bread should absorb some of the vinaigrette, but not so much it becomes mushy.
  • Fresh basil leaf garnish optional.

Notes

To save time toasting the bread, each slice of bread can be lightly dipped in a shallow bowl of olive oil then sprinkled with salt and pepper rather than brushing each individual piece.

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 486IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg