This is a classic tomato and basil bruschetta served on toasted slices of bread.

Ah bruschetta, one of the best ways to enjoy the bounty of summer.

Think of it as summer on toast!

Overhead photo of bruschetta with tomato and basil on a plate

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

Use any flavorful, ripe tomato for this recipe.

If you use cherry tomatoes, just quarter them, don’t bother blanching or peeling them.

Then make thin slices from one end of the basil cigar to the other.

Close-up, overhead photo of bruschetta with tomato and basil

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Once the water is boiling, remove the pot from the heat.

Put scored tomatoes in the hot water and blanch for 1 minute.

Remove with a slotted spoon and let sit until cool enough to handle.

Tomatoes with shallow cross cuts on the bottom, all on a wooden cutting board for bruschetta with tomato and basil recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Then gently peel off the tomato skins.

Cut out the stem base with a paring knife.

Cut the tomatoes into halves or quarters and squeeze out most of the juices and seeds.

Slotted spoon removing blanched tomatoes from a pot of boiling water for bruschetta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

to 450F (230C) with a rack in the top slot of the oven.

Finely chop the tomatoes and place them in a medium bowl.

Mix in the minced garlic, 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, and the balsamic vinegar.

Tomato skins peeled off of blanched tomatoes on a cutting board for bruschetta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Use a bread knife to slice the baguette on the diagonal making half-inch thick slices.

Toast them until lightly browned on both sides.

Then, cut a clove of garlic in half and rub over one side of the toast.

Tomato seeds removed from tomato quarters for bruschetta with tomato and basil recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Then, brush with olive oil.

(SeeEasiest Ever Garlic Bread.)

If you top each slice individually, do it right before serving.

Diced tomatoes mixed with bruschetta ingredients (basil and olive oil) for bruschetta with tomato and basil recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

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Baguette cut into slices on a cutting board for bruschetta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Olive oil brushed onto baguette slices on a baking sheet for bruschetta with tomato and basil recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Toasted baguette slices on a baking sheet for bruschetta recipe

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Plateful of bruschetta with tomato and basil next to a bowl of basil and a glass of water

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek