Bruschetta combines toasted bread with toppings added just before serving. In this Aegean-inspired version, olive bread brings its own flavour, so many additional ingredients are unnecessary. Four slices make a starter for two or four small bites. Allow approximately 15 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 4 medium-thick slices of olive bread
  • 2 medium ripe tomatoes
  • 40 g Turkish white cheese or feta, optional
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4-5 basil leaves or a few sprigs of parsley
  • Half a garlic clove, optional, and black pepper

Method

  1. Dice the tomatoes finely and drain excess juice.
  2. Mix with the olive oil, herbs and black pepper.
  3. Toast both sides of the bread in a pan until lightly coloured.
  4. If you wish, rub the cut garlic gently across the toasted surface.
  5. Divide the topping and optional cheese between the slices and serve immediately.

A good base

Cut the bread approximately 1.5 cm thick. Thin slices soften quickly under tomato, while very thick ones overwhelm the topping. Toast both sides lightly in a dry pan. You do not need a hard cracker texture: a dry surface and a centre that remains easy to bite are enough.

Keep the topping from becoming watery

Dice the tomatoes and let them drain briefly in a sieve. Save the juice for soup or another sauce rather than discarding it. Mix with olive oil, chopped herbs and pepper. Olive bread and cheese may already contain salt, so taste before adding more. Do not leave the topping on the bread for hours.

Garlic and cheese options

A single light rub of cut garlic may be enough for a gentle flavour. Crushing garlic into the topping produces a much stronger result. For the cheese version, use a small amount of crumbled white cheese. You can also serve it without cheese, but do not describe it as vegan or allergen-free without checking the bread's ingredients.

Serving and preparation ahead

For guests, keep bread, tomato topping and cheese separate and refrigerate perishable ingredients. Assemble immediately before serving. A lentil salad or seasonal vegetables can turn it into a larger spread. Bread is the main ingredient here: adjust the tomato juice and cheese to the base instead of piling on toppings.