Equipment
Ingredients
Tomato Topping
- 400 g roma tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
- 30 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic, minced
- 2 g kosher salt
- 1 g black pepper, freshly cracked
- 10 g fresh basil, chiffonade or finely torn
- 10 ml balsamic vinegar
Crostini Base
- 200 g ciabatta loaf, cut into 1.5cm thick slices
- 15 ml extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
- 1 garlic, halved crosswise
Nutrition (per serving)
Method
Preheat the oven to 200C/400F to prepare for toasting the bread.
In a mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, minced garlic, 30ml olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to coat evenly.
Allow the tomato mixture to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes so the salt can draw out the juices and the flavors can meld.
Arrange the ciabatta slices on a baking sheet and brush the top side lightly with the remaining 15ml of olive oil.
Bake the bread slices in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the centers are crisp.
Immediately out of the oven, gently rub the cut side of the halved garlic clove over the oiled, toasted surface of each warm bread slice.
Right before serving, fold the fresh basil into the resting tomato mixture.
Spoon the tomato mixture generously over the garlic-rubbed toasts, avoiding transferring too much of the liquid pool at the bottom of the bowl.
Chef's Notes
- Never refrigerate your tomatoes. Cold temperatures permanently alter their cellular structure, destroying delicate aromatic compounds and creating a mealy texture.
- Rubbing raw garlic on the hot, toasted bread is the authentic Italian technique. It imparts a complex, spicy garlic aroma without the overwhelming burn of consuming raw minced garlic pieces.
- For the crispest toast that still has a slightly chewy interior, cut the bread relatively thick (at least 1.5 centimeters) and toast it quickly in a hot oven rather than slowly at a low temperature.
- If your tomatoes are overly watery, salt them in a colander set over a bowl for 15 minutes before mixing in the oil and herbs to drain away excess moisture.
