Heart-Shaped Tomato & Mozzarella Bruschetta
A simple recipe for making attractive heart-shaped bruschetta using fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, perfect for romantic occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, halved
- 2 large ripe tomatoes, diced
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drained and diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter (optional, for shaping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet. Brush both sides lightly with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Toast the bread in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway, until lightly golden and crisp.
- Remove the bread from the oven. While the bread is still warm, gently rub the cut side of the garlic clove over the surface of each toast slice for flavor.
- In a medium bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, diced mozzarella, chopped basil, 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Mix gently.
- To create the heart shape, you have two options: either use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the mozzarella and tomato mixture into shapes before topping, or carefully arrange the diced toppings on the toast to suggest a heart shape. For the best presentation, cut the mozzarella pieces into heart shapes using the cutter.
- Spoon the tomato and mozzarella mixture onto each toasted bread slice. Place the heart-shaped mozzarella pieces on top of the mixture.
- Arrange the finished bruschetta on a serving platter. Drizzle lightly with balsamic glaze just before serving.
Notes
- Use a serrated knife to slice the baguette evenly for consistent toast bases.
- If you do not have a cookie cutter, slice the mozzarella into thick rounds and use the cutter on the rounds first, then place the heart on the toast.
- For extra flavor, you can lightly toast the bread on a grill pan instead of the oven.
- Prepare the topping mixture no more than 30 minutes before serving to prevent the bread from becoming soggy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pieces
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 15