🍅🌿 Mediterranean Tomato Basil Garlic Bread

Crispy toasted bread topped with juicy tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil.

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the Bread

• 1 baguette or ciabatta (or any rustic Mediterranean bread)

• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, whole (for rubbing)

Topping

• 2 cups ripe tomatoes, diced (Roma or cherry)

• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional but amazing)

• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• Optional add-ins:

  • 2 tbsp chopped olives

  • ¼ cup crumbled feta

  • Pinch of chili flakes

🔪 Instructions

1. Prepare Tomato Mixture

In a bowl, combine:

• diced tomatoes

• minced garlic

• olive oil

• salt + pepper

• balsamic vinegar (optional)

• chopped basil

• dried oregano

Let it sit 10 minutes to release juices and deepen flavor.

2. Toast the Bread

1. Slice the baguette/ciabatta into thick slices.

2. Brush lightly with olive oil.

3. Place on a pan or bake at 200°C / 400°F for 6–8 minutes until golden.

4. While hot, rub each slice with a whole garlic clove for flavor.

3. Assemble

• Spoon the tomato basil mixture generously over the toasted bread.

• Drizzle with extra olive oil if desired.

• Sprinkle feta or chili flakes (optional).

🍽️ Serve With

• Grilled chicken or fish

• Hummus

• A Mediterranean salad

• Soup (especially tomato or lentil)

💡 Tips

• Use very ripe tomatoes for maximum sweetness.

• Add feta for a Greek twist.

• Replace basil with parsley + mint for a Levantine variation.

• Toast bread on a grill for smoky flavor.