Description
This easy appetiser embodies the essence of Mediterranean cuisine with the simplicity of using high-quality ingredients that each plays its own role in creating a harmonious symphony of flavours and textures.
Ingredients
For the Bruschetta:
- 1 large baguette or French bread
- 2–3 cloves of garlic, peeled
- Olive oil for drizzling
For the Topping:
- 2 medium-sized ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1 small eggplant (aubergine), diced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Baguette:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Slice the baguette into 1.5cm thick rounds. You can make them smaller or larger depending on your preference.
- Place the bread rounds on a baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil. You can brush it on or use your hands to rub it in.
- Toast the bread in the preheated oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until it’s lightly crispy and golden brown. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
- Remove the toasted baguette rounds from the oven and let them cool slightly. While they’re still warm, rub the peeled garlic cloves onto one side of each bread round for a subtle garlic flavour.
Prepare the Topping:
- In a skillet, fry the eggplant (aubergine) cubes until golden brown. Set aside to cool down.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, aubergine, chopped mint leaves, and finely chopped red onion.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar to make a simple vinaigrette.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the tomato and eggplant/aubergine mixture and gently toss until everything is well coated.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Bruschetta:
- Arrange the prepared baguette rounds on a serving platter, garlic-rubbed side up.
- Spoon the tomato, eggplant (aubergine), and mint mixture generously onto each piece of bread. Make sure to include some of the vinaigrette from the bowl.
- Garnish the bruschetta with additional fresh mint leaves for a burst of colour.
Serve:
- Serve the bruschetta immediately as an appetiser, snack, or even a light meal. It’s best enjoyed while the bread is still slightly warm and crispy.
Notes
Portions:
Typically, for a baguette-sized recipe like this, you can expect to make about 12 to 16 individual bruschetta portions.
If you’re serving this as an appetiser, it can comfortably serve 4 to 6 people with 2 to 3 bruschetta rounds per person. If you’d like to serve it as a smaller snack or part of a larger meal, you can adjust the portion size accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean