Clearly I didn’t waste any time making the grilled bread & marinated tomatoes I mentioned in my vacation recap post. Also, I clearly forgot the fresh parsley this time around… I miss that pop of green color, but the crisp ciabatta + juicy tomatoes still tasted fantastic!
The vital ingredients here are good crusty ciabatta bread and ripe summer tomatoes.
Organic heirloom tomatoes are still reasonably priced, deeply red-hued, and perfectly sweet… so let’s take advantage of the quickly dwindling tomato season and pair ‘em with some grilled bread!
I am typically a huge proponent of using whole wheat bread whenever possible, but I actually opted for white ciabatta this time around. I didn’t want the slightly sweet flavor and hearty texture of whole wheat bread that I usually love to overpower the mild tomato flavor, so white bread it was.The tomatoes are marinated in a garlic-infused olive oil that I probably could have sipped from a spoon (not recommended unless everyone else in your general vicinity partakes in the same activity!)…
… but which I managed to reserve for brushing on the split ciabatta.
Pop those suckers on the grill, and let the flames lick up the olive oil that drips down into the grates. We’re looking for crisp, golden-brown, grill mark-lined bread, so let that fire do its job!
John is the master griller of the two of us, and the first time we made this during vacation the ciabatta had gorgeous dark grill marks. Needless to say, I grilled the bread in these photographs… so it’s not quite as pretty ;). I probably could have left the bread on the grill for a few more minutes.
Not to worry, though, because those gorgeous marinated tomato slices are going to be draped right over the top of the grilled ciabatta anyway!
Crunchy warm bread & juicy sweet tomatoes + the sharp bite of garlic makes just about the perfect summer appetizer, snack, or side dish (or, let’s be honest, meal).
I’m now daydreaming about other delicious toppings I could pile onto grilled bread… sliced sweet peaches with creamy ricotta or crisp apples with fig jam perhaps?
Oh, the possibilities…
| Name | Grilled Ciabatta with Marinated Tomatoes |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Italian |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5 minutes |
| Total Time | 20 minutes |
| Servings | 4 |
| Yield | 4 slices of grilled ciabatta per serving |
Ingredients
- 4 ripe tomatoes, preferably heirloom, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 loaf of fresh ciabatta bread, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
- Olive oil for brushing
Instructions
1. Prepare the Tomato Marinade
In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, minced garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil leaves.
Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Gently toss everything together to ensure the flavors meld. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, allowing the tomatoes to soak up the delicious marinade.
2. Grill the Ciabatta
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Brush the ciabatta slices with a little olive oil on both sides.
Place the slices directly on the grill grates and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until they have beautiful grill marks and are slightly crispy.
3. Assemble the Dish
Once the ciabatta slices are grilled to perfection, remove them from the grill and let them cool for a minute or two.
Arrange the grilled ciabatta on a serving platter.
Spoon the marinated tomato mixture generously over the grilled bread.
Drizzle any remaining marinade over the top.
4. Serve and Enjoy
Serve your Grilled Ciabatta with Marinated Tomatoes immediately while the bread is still warm and crispy.
Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
Grilled Ciabatta with Marinated Tomatoes is a celebration of summer’s bounty. The marriage of the smoky, slightly charred ciabatta with the burst of flavor from the marinated tomatoes is a match made in culinary heaven. Whether you enjoy it as an appetizer, side dish, or even a light lunch, this dish captures the essence of summer and will leave you craving more. So fire up that grill, grab some ripe tomatoes, and indulge in this delightful summer treat!
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250 calories per serving.
- Total Fat: 10 grams.
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 grams.
- Trans Fat: 0 grams.
- Cholesterol: 0 milligrams.
- Sodium: 350 milligrams (may vary depending on how much salt is added).
- Total Carbohydrates: 35 grams.
- Dietary Fiber: 3 grams.
- Sugars: 3 grams.
- Protein: 6 grams.
