Recipe

Tomato & Ricotta Bruschetta

Gennaro gives us his take on this classic and delicious Italian dish. He uses a beautiful mix of two of Italy’s most famous cheeses – mozzarella and ricotta – on the base. And it’s all topped off with roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves. Fantastico!

Sweet, seasonal tomatoes and basil are such a perfect pair, and they really do make this simple bruschetta recipe sing. Use really ripe tomatoes and finish with a drizzle of top-quality olive oil for a really tasty treat.

What is bruschetta?

Bruschetta is an appetizer dish composed of toasted bread that has been rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil.

Bruschetta gets its name from the Italian verb 'bruscare' which means to 'roast over coals'.

History of Bruschetta

Legend has it that Bruschetta dates back to the Etruscan age to the area known today as Tuscany. The history of Bruschetta is linked to the harvest of olives and the production of olive oil.

Much like today, locals celebrated the first pressing of olive oil by drizzling the fresh oil over day-old bread that was roasted and rubbed with garlic. This fine snack was accompanied by local wine.

What is the difference between bruschetta and crostini?

Bruschetta is made from thick slices of hearty bread. Crostini features thinner slices of bread usually cut from lighter-textured bread like baguettes. Unlike bruschetta, crostini is not usually rubbed with garlic or coated in olive oil.

What is the best bread for bruschetta?

Since bread is essential to bruschetta it is of utmost importance that it be of good quality. A country-style Italian loaf is preferred, as its texture will hold up to the heat. Sourdough bread is another good option.