Name: Garlic & Cheese Tomato Toast Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Ingredients: 4 slices rustic or sourdough bread; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1–2 ripe tomatoes, sliced; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley; Grated Parmesan cheese

Description

Garlic & Cheese Tomato Toast is a simple yet flavorful Mediterranean-inspired appetizer featuring rustic or sourdough bread brushed with olive oil and garlic, topped with melted mozzarella, ripe tomato slices, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs and Parmesan. Perfectly baked until golden and crisp, this dish makes a delicious and easy starter.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Toast

4 slices rustic or sourdough bread
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced

Toppings

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1–2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Garnishes

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to fully preheat for even cooking.
Prepare the bread: Place the four slices of rustic or sourdough bread on a baking sheet. Brush each slice evenly with olive oil to ensure a rich flavor and crisp texture during baking.
Apply garlic: Rub the minced garlic evenly over each slice of bread, infusing the base with savory garlic flavor.
Add cheese and tomatoes: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over each slice, then lay 2 to 3 slices of ripe tomato on top of the cheese to create a balanced topping.
Season: Sprinkle each slice with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
Bake the toast: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bread turns crisp and golden.
Optional broil: For extra golden and bubbly cheese, switch the oven to broil mode and broil the toast for the last 1–2 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
Garnish and serve: Remove the toasts from the oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil or parsley and a touch of grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm immediately.

Notes

Toast the bread slightly before assembling the toppings for extra crunch.
Use heirloom or cherry tomatoes to add color and natural sweetness.
Fresh herbs can be adjusted or omitted based on preference.
For a vegan version, substitute mozzarella with a plant-based cheese alternative.