Most baguettes should be vegan by default, but you can always double-check with your bakery if you’re unsure. Preparing this simple topping made my kitchen smell like an early burst of summer.
Ingredients:
- 8 (1-inch thick) slices French bread baguette
- 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegan sugar
- 2 large tomatoes
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1. Toast the bread in the oven at 350° for 5 minutes; set aside.
2. Meanwhile, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and continue to simmer until the balsamic is slightly thickened, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Core and chop the tomatoes into a small dice (you’ll have about 2 and 3/4 cups). Combine the tomatoes in a bowl with the garlic, olive oil, basil, salt, and black pepper.
4. Add the balsamic sauce and toss gently to coat.
5. Spoon the tomato mixture evenly over the bread slices. The bruschetta will be best served immediately, before the balsamic makes the bread soggy.
Nutrition Info: 4 servings (2 slices bread, 3/4 cup tomato mixture), 252 calories per serving
Tasting Notes: The balsamic reduction is wonderfully sweet, lightly acidic, and a great compliment to the fresh tomato and basil. That said, the balsamic drowned out the lovely basil a bit too much, and I think that stems from a problem with the directions for this recipe; the balsamic needs to reduce much further down, probably until you have only 1/4 cup sauce. That would mean giving the balsamic a longer simmer (closer to 15 minutes), so use your judgement, not the recipe instructions, to decide when the balsamic is thick and reduced enough. I would also use significantly larger slices of bread (closer to sandwich bread-sized), since the recipe makes way more topping than can comfortably sit atop 8 small baguette slices. As is, I ate the leftover topping up with a spoon! Finally, I would seed the tomatoes next time, for a less watery topping. Closer to a “3.5” for taste, thanks to the lovely fresh flavors and crunchy French bread, but minus half a point for the preparation tweaks that are needed.
Rating: 3
Vegan Chronicle 