Ingredients For Bruschetta

Bruschetta with Red Peppers and Feta is a delicious variation of the classic dish.

Bruschetta, an Italian comfort food, began life as a simple recipe made with ingredients the cook had on hand: bread, olive oil, tomatoes and salt. Along the way, herbs, pepper, cheese and other ingredients were added to the mix. Bruschetta is now a favorite food everywhere with many varieties of this delicious recipe---still featuring the original ingredients but now offering some interesting variations as well.

Tomatoes

A prominent ingredient of bruschetta is the tomato. There are different schools of thought as to which variety of tomato is best to use on bruschetta. Roma tomatoes are popular because they are a dry tomato that will not make the bread soggy. Hothouse tomatoes or grape tomato are used, as well as sun-dried tomatoes. There is no wrong or right tomato. Be guided by your personal preference and what you have on hand in your kitchen or garden.

Bread

For a traditional style bruschetta bread is one of the required ingredients. Italian loaf bread is commonly used in bruschetta, as is the French baguette. Once again, personal taste, convenience and creativity determine the type of bread used. If you have only panini bread on hand, toast the bread in the oven and scoop the chilled tomato mix on top---you now have panini bruschetta. Some cooks like to slice bread thin, others like it thick, some toasted, some not. The variations keep the dish interesting.

Olive Oil and Vinegar

Traditionally, Italian style bruschetta is doused in olive oil. Balsamic vinegar is used with the olive oil if on hand. Although American recipes tend to call for balsamic vinegar it is not a necessity. Some cooks prefer to substitute balsamic vinegar with red wine vinegar, or use none at all. A squeeze of lemon is preferred by some cooks. Substitutes for olive oil are an olive paste or another style of vegetable oil.

Herbs and Spice

Which herbs and spices are sprinkled on bruschetta are determined by personal taste and availability. The most basic of recipes call only for salt to taste, while the average American recipe calls for minced garlic, fresh basil, salt and pepper to taste. Some cooks substitute oregano for basil. Others spread pesto onto their bread.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Vary your basic bruschetta by adding extra ingredients that add variety to your recipe. Cheese adds flavor and dimension to bruschetta---mozzarella, feta cheese, grated Parmesan and goat cheese are good choices. Other ingredients are sliced black olives, red onion, artichoke, roasted red peppers, chopped shallots, figs, capers, anchovies and Italian meats such as prosciutto.

Tags: balsamic vinegar, personal taste, Some cooks, style bruschetta