This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure.
The other day Mike watched Julie & Julia with me. It was his first time and I wasn’t sure if he’d like it (since admittedly it is a bit girly), but he said he enjoyed it (he is the best hubby ever…I’m pretty sure he was just being sweet!). I think the best thing that came out of the movie for him is that it reminded me of the amazing bruschetta that Julie makes with heirloom tomatoes, basil, and bread that’s pan-seared in olive oil. Of course the movie gave me a serious craving for this bruschetta, which to me is the most delicious way you will ever eat tomatoes.
I have a little trick to help the bread absorb less oil: if you lightly butter both sides it will act as a moisture barrier and your bread won’t soak up nearly as much. And that little touch of butter adds fantastic flavor too. ;)
Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta (Inspired by Julie’s bruschetta in Julie & Julia)
Serves 4
8 (about 1/2 inch-thick) slices of good quality bread
Butter, for the bread
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for the pan
1 pint mini heirloom tomatoes, halved or quartered, depending on how big they are
A handful of basil
Coarse salt and fresh grated black pepper
Combine the tomatoes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a medium bowl; set aside.
Lightly butter both sides of each piece of bread. Lightly coat the bottom of a large (preferably non-stick) skillet with olive oil and heat over high heat; add the bread and cook until golden brown on both sides. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Tear the basil with your hands and add to the tomatoes. Top the bread with the tomato mixture and serve.
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
Free Bonus
Loved that book. :)
These tomatoes are downright gorgeous!
Heirloom tomatoes are just so gorgeously sweet and beautiful – this sounds like a perfect summer dish!
My family grew some delicious heirloom tomatoes this year, with seeds from Baker Creek seeds. We’ve eaten tons & tons fresh, but since we’ve got so many, I developed a really simple Thai-inspired eggplant-tomato curry (with a little meat, a la Food Matters) that features cherry tomatoes (in our case, old world Riesentraube tomatoes) added at the last moment, so that they retain all that’s lovely about a fresh tomato. As it happens, I posted this on my blog today; check it out at http://eatwithjoy.wordpress.com/2011/08/07/sunday-recipe-summer-thai-curry/. Growing your own=the recession-friendly option! Otherwise, I think we’d have only the stuff from cans.
heirloom tomatoes are so lovely, and perfect for bruschetta. great display, faith!
There is nothing better than bruschetta made with wonderful, fresh tomatoes. Fabulous photos, Faith.
OMG Julie and Julia made me crave bruschetta so much. I made my dad watch it with me, and he dared to fall asleep AND snore in the middle of it…so yes, your husband is very very sweet! :-)
My hubby loved that movie, too. Meryl Streep can do no wrong. ;)
So fresh and pretty! Great movie, I watched it with my son and he loved it :) Love the butter tip on the bread too, will try that :)
I agree, a touch of butter makes things better and u come up with the most delicious and pretty ideas babe!
Ur hubby sure is a darling and i love the sound of ”romantic” around u two:-)
Love meeting u around weekends everytime :-) but ofcourse i d love to meet u more often too :-))))
Lodsa love and sunshine for my pretty gal pal who whips up delicious stuff with lodsa love!
Brushetta looks absoultely wonderful and the recipe is so easy, perfect for a summer meal and your clicks made it more tempting..loved it
I love the bruschetta scene from J&J! Every time I see it I crave it. Your recipe looks great….wanna come make me some :)
Such a beautiful mixture of colors! A perfect summer tomato needs little adornment, so these simple snacks sound like an ideal way to feature them.
Colorful and yum …nice one …looks very gud
I am drooling over these beautiful pictures… lovely..
Your photos are beautiful. So many tomatoes this summer—we have yet to make bruschetta.
Well, I think there’s one thing tastier than tomato bruschetta, Faith. And that’s a fresh tomato sandwich…with mayo. Right from the garden. That’s my very favorite. But your bruschetta is a close second! Great tip with the butter…will be trying that next time!
Tomatoes and bread–quintessential summer fare. Sandwhich a layer of fresh ricotta between the crispy bread and those gorgeous tomatoes and call it lunch. Beautiful.
Oh yes colour. Looks fresh and summery……. and perfect basil too!
That movie is so cute and I love mini heirloom tomatoes… So simple but so smart since it lets the yummy flavor the heirlooms since through. I love these kinda meals/snacks.
So beautifully colourful Faith! :D And I remember just craving bruschetta after seeing J&J :)
Yay for sweet hubbies! Mine watched that with me too. It’s been a while so I forgot about this bruschetta, but yours sounds soooo good! And so pretty, too.
These are a feast for the eyes Faith! So beautiful! And I bet every bit as delicious as they look.
A lovely bruschetta, very nice with the red and yellow tomatoes.
this is one of my fav summer dishes! so fresh! :)
bread and tomatoes are 2 of my favorite things – I would love to bite into this!
What a sweet husband! I really enjoyed the movie too, and I think I’m going to have to make these as a reminder =) Love the colors!
Beautiful photography; can’t think of anything better to have as a meal with this very hot summer!
I am not only drooling over the delectable bruschetta, but your stunning photos as well. You have certainly upped your game!
I haven’t seen that movie or ever had bruschetta but maybe I should try both! I love tomatoes so I’m sure I’d love this!
Oh how i love these tomatoes!!! I just used them to make a caprese salad the other day and they are the best. I’ll have to try this.
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
Faith,
Vibrant lovely & fresh. Great tip as well. I learn something everytime I visit AEM.
Normally, I have no issue telling the Lawyer that the movie she made me sit through was a bomb. So yeah Mike is much nicer than me for sure.
Yummmm!!! Looks wonderful! I’d love to have some right now for breakfast! :) My honey and I both loved the film, by the way. :)
This looks awesome. I am a big fan of heirloom tomatoes…and bruschetta is always a winner in my book :)
supposed to be an appetizer, but with a glass of wine I’d call it dinner. cheers!
That looks so good! Loved the movie, but not the book so much.
Gorgeous food as always!!! It’s 3 pm here and I haven’t had lunch…this is making me feel very hungry! I really like how your website is looking by the way. So crisp, clean and organized. I still need to sort mine out haha. Keep up the great cooking and hope all is going well with the cookbook!
I remember that scene from the movie as well and thought it was such a different approach to preparing the bread! I usually drizzle mine with olive oil and then bake it up on the oven, but this definitely would add a lot of great flavor! Love the beautiful and colorful heirlooms as well. Great summer starter.
The tomatoes are really coming in Big at our markets–even in my garden. I love eating them all ways–but there’s nothing like an open face sandwich, toasty, like your bruschetta with just sea salt and sweet basil to make me happy. those mini-heirlooms are like jewels!
Delightful n my fav ~ so apt for summers :)
Us Masala
Great bruschette! Hearloom tomatoes are so colorful and delightful.
Cheers,
Rosa
Very tempting pics, fantastic & colorful.
every time I watch that movie I want to eat bruschetta just like that!
Love that movie. This is the perfect summer app-so colorful
The colors. I just received heirloom tomatoes in my basket this week. Now you gave me a major craving.