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Strawberry Bruschetta with Balsamic Vinegar and Basil

May 15, 2012 by Nicole 39 Comments

Strawberry Bruschetta with Balsamic Vinegar and Basil

While living in Sicily, my diet revolved around a few main staples during the warmer months: tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, olive oil, and bread.  I never grew tired of simple dishes like Insalata Caprese and Bruschetta al Pomodoro and I don’t think I ever will.  Each year, as the weather warms up, I start looking forward to tomato season, knowing it will bring plates of layered tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and trays of toasted bread topped with chopped tomato to my table once again.

But while the days are getting hotter, it’s not quite tomato season yet.  Luckily, my Dad and my Grandpa have both planted plenty of tomatoes again this year, so we will soon have more tomatoes than we can eat.  In the meantime, I decided to satisfy my bruschetta craving with another sweet red fruit that currently is in season here in the valley:  strawberries.

Strawberry Bruschetta

I had never made strawberry bruschetta before, but I’ve heard of people making it and I knew the flavors would work.  I’ve seen some recipes that add sugar to the berries to make a sweeter topping, but that’s not what I was after.  I treated the strawberries much like I treat tomatoes in the same application, tossing the fruit with vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.  I added some fresh chopped basil, but I think mint would be nice as well.  I also threw in a pinch of crushed red pepper because I enjoy a bit of heat, but it’s entirely optional.

If you have some on hand, try spreading a layer of softened goat cheese on the bread before topping with the strawberries.  We found it to be a delicious variation.

Strawberry Bruschetta
Serves 8

1 pint strawberries, hulled and chopped
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
pinch of salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)
1 baguette of French- or Italian-style bread, cut into 1/2-inch slices
extra basil for garnish (optional)

In a medium bowl, mix strawberries, vinegar, oil, basil, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper.  Set aside to let the berries release their juice.  Arrange dry bread slices on a baking sheet and toast on both sides under a broiler (this can be done in batches).  Arrange toasted bread slices on a platter. Stir the strawberry mixture then top each piece of bread with a spoonful of the berries, including a bit of the liquid with each spoonful.  Garnish bruschetta with basil leaves if desired.  Serve immediately.

 Related Recipes:

  • Bruschetta Three Ways 
  • Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream
  • Strawberry Shortcake 
  • Strawberry Freezer Jam

Around the Web:

  • Slow-Roasted Tomato Bruschetta from The Perfect Pantry
  • Kiwi and Serrano Ham Bruschetta from What We’re Eating
  • Strawberry, Banana, and Nutella Panini from Panini Happy
  • Strawberry Spinach Salad with Almonds and Dill from Kalyn’s Kitchen
  • Strawberry Lavender Lemonade from Andrea Meyers
  • Fresh Roasted Pepper and Olive Bruschetta from Sass & Veracity
  • Strawberries 101 from Food Blogga

Filed Under: Appetizers, Snacks, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Eliana says

    May 15, 2012 at 10:05 am

    Cannot wait to give this a try this summer. Looks and sounds absolutely incredible.
    Reply
  2. Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says

    May 15, 2012 at 10:27 am

    I've never considered strawberries for bruschetta - but I love balsamic vinegar with strawberries. Genius! Can't wait to try this...
    Reply
  3. Tash @ Dairy Free Chick says

    May 15, 2012 at 11:37 am

    Yum! I would drizzle with chocolate syrup (perhaps ruining the culinary finesse of it all). I'll be trying this soon!
    Reply
  4. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    May 15, 2012 at 11:56 am

    Simple, but so very tasty and pleasant!
    Reply
  5. Jackie @ Domestic Fits says

    May 15, 2012 at 12:01 pm

    Nicole, you're back! I love this bruschetta, the goat cheese option seem incredible.
    Reply
  6. nicole says

    May 15, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    So, so tempting ... I don't love goat cheese so may try with brie or fresh mozz. I love that you made it more savory than sweet - totally up my ally!
    Reply
  7. Sarah says

    May 15, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    I wonder how roasted garlic would taste with the strawberries. I do love both of the flavors. I happen to have have both, so I may give that a try. :-)
    Reply
  8. Jesse says

    May 15, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    These look SO good! Thanks for posting the recipe, I love strawberries with basalmic vinegar. Once in a sushi restuarant they made us little rolls with strawberries, mint, and basalmic. So good.
    Reply
  9. Sara K. says

    May 15, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    Yay! I was just looking at your blog the other day and thinking about how much I missed your posts! Glad to see you back!
    Reply
  10. ceecee says

    May 15, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    This looks stunning! Can't wait to try it!
    Reply
  11. Sarah says

    May 15, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    The picture makes me smile. It just says summer all over. :D I'll have to try this.
    Reply
  12. patsy says

    May 15, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    The photo makes me want to run to my kitchen and make these as an after dinner "nibble"!
    Reply
  13. Katarina says

    May 15, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    This looks so delicious! And the color is beautiful!
    Reply
  14. Justin says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:56 pm

    Yum yum yum!! Looks delicious
    Reply
  15. Lisa says

    May 16, 2012 at 7:50 am

    Yummm when I saw this on facebook I new I had to make it immediately. It's really interesting that you can treat it the same way you would treat a tomato and it's still delicious! Brilliant =)
    Reply
  16. Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says

    May 16, 2012 at 7:59 am

    Thanks so much for including one of my bruschetta recipes. I love the idea of strawberries here.
    Reply
  17. Cookin' Canuck says

    May 16, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    The strawberries at the market are perfectly sweet right now, and I know they would taste so good in this pretty bruschetta. Great springtime recipe!
    Reply
  18. Allison says

    May 17, 2012 at 8:25 am

    Wow, I love strawberries and balsamic together, but have never taken the next step to make something like this-- this looks awesome.Anyway, I was just stopping by to say that I’ve nominated you for the ‘One Lovely Blog’ Award! Your blog is truly lovely and somehow we must have very similar taste in food, because your recipe index reads like my daydream eating-list. Also, your photos are all absolutely gorgeous... so thank you! (For more information about the award, and how to pass it on, please stop by spontaneous tomato.)
    Reply
  19. Austin says

    May 17, 2012 at 9:40 am

    This is a fabulous idea!!! I will have to try it sometime!!!!
    Reply
  20. Sheryl says

    May 17, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    Nicole, really glad to see you back! You were sorely missed!The strawberry bruschetta looks fabulous; this one is definitely going in my "try soon" list. We're having a barbecue this weekend and it would be perfect!
    Reply
  21. The Lucky Wife @ The Saturday Evening Pot says

    May 21, 2012 at 7:18 am

    NEVER would have thought of combining the flavors of strawberries and balsamic vinegar, but I do love strawberries AND goat cheese. This sounds interesting and I'm always up to trying new things, especially with flavors I know I love.Interesting all the different places you have lived! We live on the east coast and just told hubby the other day I'd love to get out to California to see the other side of the country! :)
    Reply
  22. Lauren T says

    May 22, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    That looks incredible! Especially for summertime!
    Reply
  23. Mike says

    May 23, 2012 at 6:50 am

    I never thought that mixing balsamic vinegar and strawberries would work, but you proved me wrong :). My wife made it over the weekeend and the whole family really enjoyed it!
    Reply
  24. Kaya says

    May 27, 2012 at 2:42 am

    Balsamico and strawberries? Never heard of that combination before, but nor I did hear about other shocking combination and it always turned out extremely well. Unfortunately I'm allergic to tomatoes so I need to alter my dishes slightly all the time, however I can try this desert without any changes. Where did you find it? I'm often looking at restaurant menus and trying to find recipes for their dishes online, it's a really good source of inspiration. Have you seen this year's world best restaurants guide? I love NOMA, it's a Danish restaurant where my best friend took me a year ago. Their food is pure indulgence! And they won this year! Made me very happy! Have a nice Sunday guys ;)
    Reply
  25. Dana says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Looks divine - photo is making me hungry (but it is 11:30 am). Truly beautiful photographs. I recently stumbled upon and later blogged a Strawberry Balsamic Mojito. OMG was it terrific - same combination of sweet and savory. It's at http://fresnosfabulous52.blogspot.com/2012/04/balsamic-strawberry-mojito-and-easy.html. Give it a try. Very refreshing and probably terrific with your bruchetta!!
    Reply
  26. Deena @ stay at home FOODIE says

    May 31, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    YUM! I love strawberries and balsamic.
    Reply
  27. Sharon Lee says

    June 13, 2012 at 8:21 am

    That looks really CRAZY good! Can't wait to try it. Strawberry picking season opens this weekend in Sharon, MA.
    Reply
  28. Olive-Crush says

    July 17, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    Oh my goodness! This looks amazing!! Can't wait to try this recipe out. :)
    Reply
  29. Christy says

    September 4, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    I am making this scrumptious-looking recipe ASAP! Even though it's September now and obviously no longer anywhere near strawberry season- I don't care! My mouth is watering :)
    Reply
  30. Dana says

    September 4, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    The color ALONE is fabulous; however, given the "season" try roasted green (or red) seedless grapes on top of goat cheese!! Delish!
    Reply
  31. Stephen Grubb says

    October 10, 2012 at 1:42 am

    Always wanted to try the balsamic strawberry combo. Looks amazing. We have great strawberries in Scotland too, so there's no excuse.
    Reply
  32. Zenplay Sritrakool says

    January 7, 2013 at 10:32 am

    Nice pic look this yummy , thank for recip
    Reply
  33. Nicole Lindstrom says

    January 15, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    Looks absolutely amazing. Must make this summer and spring.
    Reply
  34. @photorecipe says

    January 23, 2013 at 2:42 am

    Looks really delicius! A creative recipe, i´ll do it very soon!Regards,@@photorecipe
    Reply
  35. Cassandra says

    March 28, 2013 at 9:03 am

    This is just such a delicious treat. It's amazing what a good quality balsamic over fresh fruit will do. Spring is here-we'll have to make this! @cravelocal
    Reply
  36. Krakow Transfers says

    May 7, 2013 at 11:47 am

    Fantastic idea, never seen such bruschettas before. It really makes me hungry and I'll have to do this tomorrow. Regards.
    Reply
  37. borse firmate says

    May 16, 2013 at 5:43 am

    Amazing blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I'm hoping to start my own website soon but I'm a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I'm totally overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Thank you!
    Reply
  38. Isabel Lopez Coll says

    June 15, 2013 at 10:36 am

    It looks so appetizing. I can't wait.
    Reply
  39. chiangmaicatering says

    September 26, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    Nice pic look this yummy all time
    Reply

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