Description
Sweet cherries dance atop crispy bruschetta in this delightful Mediterranean-inspired appetizer. Crunchy bread meets juicy fruit, creating a perfect balance of textures that will delight your palate with each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch rounds (0.5 inches)
- 2 cups (473 ml) fresh cherries, pitted and chopped
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil (plus extra for brushing)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh basil, finely chopped
Seasoning:
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper
Garnish (Optional):
- Additional basil leaves
- Balsamic glaze (drizzle)
Instructions
- Carefully slice the baguette into thin, uniform pieces, ensuring each slice provides a sturdy base for the cherry topping.
- Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet, then delicately brush each piece with a light coating of olive oil to promote golden, crispy edges.
- Roast the baguette slices in a preheated oven until they transform into crunchy, golden-brown platforms, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- While the bread cools, create a vibrant cherry mixture by combining freshly chopped cherries with tangy balsamic vinegar, fragrant olive oil, finely chopped basil, and a gentle sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Allow the cherry mixture to rest, enabling the flavors to intertwine and develop a rich, complex profile for about 10-15 minutes.
- Carefully top each crisp baguette slice with the marinated cherry mixture, ensuring an even distribution of the bright, aromatic topping.
- Enhance the bruschetta with an optional garnish of delicate fresh basil leaves or a refined drizzle of balsamic glaze for an elegant finishing touch.
- Present the bruschetta immediately to preserve the perfect balance of crisp bread and juicy cherry topping, inviting guests to savor the refreshing flavors.
Notes
- Select firm, ripe cherries for the best texture and flavor in your bruschetta topping.
- Toast baguette slices until golden and crisp to create a sturdy base that won’t get soggy from the cherry mixture.
- Let the cherry mixture rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to develop and intensify, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Customize the recipe by adding alternative herbs like mint or thyme for a unique twist on the classic bruschetta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg