Herby Caprese Toast
This is one of my favorite fast meals of all time! Though it would also make an absolutely amazing appetizer as well.
I am a huge caprese fan. I grew up eating it at parties as an appetizer — well eating is generous, it was really more like fighting over the plate. We would always have a plate of tomatoes with mozzarella and a touch of balsamic vinegar and it was always the first thing gone. That in itself is so delicious but this is next level! If you’ve followed me a while, you know I’ve made caprese into lots of things. Sandwiches, salads, even dish with potatoes! It is so absolutely delicious and so simple in any form, but this one is elevated and seriously takes about 20 minutes for the whole thing.
What makes this is the herby bread. You need a nice crusty loaf — I often make them myself, but if you’re not a baker, a store bought or bakery bread would work perfectly. Slice it into thick slices and then rub with olive oil and herbs. Grill the bread and top with everything. Thats it! You could elevate it even more with some pesto or red pepper paste, but it really doesn’t need a whole lot more. Its perfect as it is.
Your guests will go crazy over it — if it makes it that far! You might eat it all before you can even put it out on the table.
Herby Caprese Toast
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of crusty bread
- 1-2 balls of fresh mozzarella, depending on the size
- 2-3 large tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- Salt
- Italian Seasoning
- Balsamic Glaze
- Fresh basil, for garnish
- (Optional) pre-made pesto or red pepper paste
Instructions
- Pre-heat your grill pan or panini press (or cast iron if you don't have either).
- Slice bread into 5-10 thick slices, depending how many you need or how large your loaf is.
- Slice tomatoes into slices as thin or thick as you prefer. Salt the tomatoes and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
- Slice mozzarella into slices as thin or thick as you prefer.
- In a small cup or dish, mix olive oil, Italian seasoning and salt. Go heavy on the seasoning!
- Brush olive oil and seasoning mixture onto each slice of bread (both sides).
- Place the slice of bread onto whatever pan you're using to toast the bread. Allow to cook on each side until it gets toasty (to your preference). Repeat with each slice until all are complete.
- Assemble: Herby bread, any spread you like (pesto, red pepper paste etc), mozzarella, salted tomato, fresh basil, balsamic glaze.
- And enjoy -- it really is that easy!
