Ingredients
Scale
- 4 slices of rustic bread (sourdough, ciabatta, or your favorite hearty bread)
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or torn into pieces
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Balsamic glaze (optional) for drizzling (adds a delicious touch of sweetness and tang)
Why These Ingredients Matter:
- Rustic Bread: The bread serves as the crispy base for the toast, and the heartier, the better! Sourdough or ciabatta give a nice balance of crunch and flavor.
- Fresh Mozzarella: There’s nothing quite like the creamy goodness of fresh mozzarella. It melts beautifully, giving the toast that perfect gooey texture.
- Tomatoes: The juiciness and tanginess of ripe tomatoes are essential in this dish. Go for the ripest, juiciest tomatoes you can find—vine-ripened tomatoes are my favorite for this recipe.
- Fresh Basil: Basil brings the aroma and flavor that ties the whole dish together. Its fresh, slightly peppery taste pairs perfectly with the tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil drizzled over the toast before and after baking enhances the richness of the dish.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven or toaster oven:
Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat your toaster oven to the same temperature. Preheating is key to getting that nice crispiness on the bread. - Prepare your bread:
Take your slices of rustic bread and place them on a baking sheet. Drizzle them with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil on each slice, making sure they’re lightly coated. You can use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon to spread the oil evenly. This step helps the bread become golden and crispy while adding a rich flavor. - Toast the bread:
Place the baking sheet in the oven and toast the bread for about 5-7 minutes or until it’s golden brown and crispy. You can also pop the bread in a toaster if you prefer, but I like the oven method for getting that even crisp. - Prepare the toppings:
While the bread is toasting, slice your tomatoes into thin rounds and tear the fresh mozzarella into pieces. I love the rustic look of torn mozzarella, but sliced works just as well! Tear the basil leaves into smaller pieces, making sure they’re fresh to really amp up the flavor. - Assemble the toast:
Once the bread is perfectly toasted, take it out of the oven and start assembling the toppings. Begin with the mozzarella, placing pieces on each slice of bread. Add the tomato slices on top of the mozzarella, followed by the fresh basil. - Drizzle with olive oil and season:
Drizzle a little more olive oil over the toppings and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. You can add a little more basil if you’re a fan of that herby goodness! The olive oil helps the mozzarella melt and enhances the flavors of the toast. - Bake until bubbly and golden:
Put the toasts back in the oven for about 3-5 minutes, or until the mozzarella starts to melt and bubble. Keep an eye on them, because you want the cheese to be nice and gooey, but you don’t want the bread to burn. - Optional step:
If you love the sweet and tangy flavor of balsamic vinegar, drizzle some balsamic glaze over the toasts right before serving. It adds an extra layer of flavor that complements the tomatoes and mozzarella perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g