The Best Cheeses To Pair With Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a traditional Italian appetiser made of tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and cheese, served over large slices of Italian or sourdough bread. The type of cheese used in bruschetta can vary depending on personal preference. Mozzarella, burrata, parmesan, goat cheese, feta, and provolone are all popular choices. When choosing a cheese, consider the desired flavour and texture of the final dish. For a creamier and firmer bruschetta, mozzarella or burrata are good options. If a tangier and crumblier texture is preferred, feta cheese can be used. For those who want a stronger flavour, parmesan can be grated on top. Ultimately, the type of cheese selected will depend on individual taste preferences and dietary needs.

Mozzarella

When making bruschetta with mozzarella, it is important to use fresh mozzarella cheese. You can use fresh mozzarella pearls (mini mozzarella balls) or dice a block of mozzarella into small pieces.

Ingredients:

• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Fresh tomatoes (regular or Roma)
• Fresh basil
• Garlic
• Balsamic vinegar glaze
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Italian or sourdough bread
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• Drizzle olive oil over both sides of the bread slices and toast them in the oven until golden brown, flipping halfway through.
• While the bread is toasting, prepare the other ingredients. Dice the tomatoes and mozzarella into small pieces. Chop the basil and garlic.
• In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
• Take your toasted bread slices and rub the garlic clove directly over the surface of each slice.
• Spoon the tomato mixture onto the bread slices and top with mozzarella.
• Drizzle with balsamic vinegar glaze and enjoy!

Goat's Cheese

How to prepare

To make bruschetta with goat's cheese, simply spread the cheese on your toasted baguette slices before adding the tomato topping. This will form a creamy layer that cuts through the acidity of the tomatoes. You can also mix the goat's cheese with cream cheese and Parmesan for a more complex flavour profile.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 French baguette, sliced diagonally into ten 0.5-ounce slices (about 0.5 inches thick)
• 3 ounces of goat's cheese, brought to room temperature for easy spreading
• 0.5 cups of chopped tomatoes (cherry tomatoes are a good option as they are less juicy)
• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil
• 0.5 teaspoon of minced garlic
• 0.25 teaspoon of olive oil
• Pinch of black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of balsamic glaze

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the baguette slices on a foil-lined baking sheet and spray the tops with cooking spray. Flip the slices over and spray the other side as well.
• Put the baguette slices in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Allow them to cool for a few minutes until they are easy to handle.
• In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, and pepper, and stir until fully mixed.
• Spread the goat's cheese on the toasted baguette slices, dividing it evenly among the bread.
• Divide the tomato mixture among the bread slices, spooning it on top of the goat's cheese.
• Drizzle each piece with a light zigzag of balsamic glaze and serve.

Storage

If you have any leftover bruschetta, you can store the individual components separately and assemble them when you're ready to eat. The toasted baguette slices will keep in a sealed bag for a few days, and the tomato mixture and cheese can be stored in the fridge for up to a day in advance.

Parmesan

You can grate parmesan over the top of your bruschetta before serving, or you can mix it with other cheeses like mozzarella or goat's cheese to add a little extra depth.

If you want to make a heartier bruschetta, you could try adding grilled chicken strips, or prosciutto, with parmesan. This will create a more savoury, salty flavour profile, and the parmesan will complement the other ingredients well.

For a simple, classic bruschetta, toast your bread, rub with garlic, and add chopped tomatoes, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then, sprinkle over some parmesan and serve.

Feta

When preparing bruschetta with feta, it is essential to use fresh ingredients, especially ripe and juicy tomatoes. The key to a great bruschetta is to strike a balance between the crispness of the bread and the juiciness of the toppings. To achieve this, it is recommended to remove the seeds and liquid from the tomatoes before mixing them with other ingredients.

For the bread, a French baguette or sourdough bread sliced diagonally into thin pieces makes an excellent base. Toasting the bread is crucial, as it adds crunch and helps the bread hold up against the moist toppings. Infusing the olive oil with garlic before brushing it onto the bread slices can enhance the flavour even further.

When assembling the bruschetta, spread the feta cheese onto the toasted bread slices. You can use whipped feta or crumble a block of feta cheese over the bread. Then, top the cheese with the tomato mixture, ensuring a generous amount of tangy and sweet balsamic glaze.

Finally, you can garnish the bruschetta with fresh basil leaves, adding a touch of earthy freshness to the dish. This feta bruschetta is best served fresh, but if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for a day or two.

Cream Cheese

For the cream cheese mixture, you can use a simple combination of cream cheese, heavy cream, and onion powder. Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a popular choice for this recipe. You can also add some crushed black pepper and garlic powder to taste. Whip the cream cheese until it is light, creamy, and spreadable. This will make it easier to spread onto your bread slices.

Bread

A French baguette is the bread of choice for bruschetta. Cut the baguette into thin slices, about 1/4-inch thick. You can toast the bread in an oven or toaster oven until it is lightly browned and crispy. If you don't have time to toast the bread, you can skip this step, but toasting adds a nice crunch and helps the bread hold up against the toppings.

Toppings

The classic bruschetta toppings are ripe tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil. For cream cheese bruschetta, spread the cream cheese mixture onto the toasted bread slices, then add your desired amount of bruschetta topping. You can make your own bruschetta topping by chopping fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil, or use a store-bought option. If you're short on time, a good-quality store-bought bruschetta and crostini will work just fine.

Finishing Touches

To finish your cream cheese bruschetta, a drizzle of balsamic glaze and some fresh basil ribbons or leaves will add a touch of sweetness and freshness. You can make your own balsamic glaze by boiling balsamic vinegar for 5-10 minutes, or use a store-bought option.

Substitutions and Variations

This recipe is quite versatile and can be adapted to your taste preferences and the ingredients you have on hand:

• If you don't have a baguette, you can use crostini, which is a skinny French loaf sliced and baked until crispy.
• Use ripe cherry or grape tomatoes if possible, as they are sweeter, but any type of tomato will work.
• If you don't have fresh basil, you can sprinkle dried basil on top.
• You can use mascarpone cheese instead of cream cheese.
• If you don't have heavy cream, light cream or half-and-half will also work.

Frequently asked questions