Roasted tomato bruschetta with tarragon makes a deliciously fresh and light lunch, but works just as well as a starter at any dinner party!
Tomato bruschetta with tarragon is a light and flavoursome dish that makes a tasty lunch. You can also serve as a starter for a dinner party, or added to a sharing style platter. This dish is a twist on the more traditional bruschetta using fresh tomatoes, garlic and chopped basil.
In this recipe for roasted tomato bruschetta we have cooked the tomatoes as roasting tomatoes really brings out their sweetness. We have also used tarragon in place of basil which adds a delicious twist to the dish.
If asked about my favourite ingredients, the humble tomato is right up there, my favourite fruit and probably the one thing I eat more of than anything else. Fresh, roasted, sun-blushed, tinned and added to food, I eat tomatoes in all their glorious forms! Walk into my kitchen and alongside the fruit bowl is a bowl set aside just for tomatoes which my children and I eat like sweets.
My inspiration for today's recipe is simple. It's warm outside, I love tomatoes and this is a favourite summer lunch. Tomatoes with bread, a touch of garlic, olive oil and fresh herbs, simplicity at its best!
Why you will love this recipe
- Feed a crowd as this recipe can be easily doubled up to feed more diners.
- Roasting the tomatoes first really enhances the sweet flavours in the tomato.
- Make gluten free tomato bruschetta by using a gluten free bread alternative.
How to make roasted tomato bruschetta with tarragon
- Preheat the oven to 180C/160CFan/360F.
- Cut the tomatoes in half, add the garlic and chopped tarragon or basil, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Place in the oven to roast for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile toast the bread.
TOP TIP: You can make the toast using a normal toaster or by popping it under the grill. However, if like me, you just want to add a little char to the bread, we recommend toasting it in a char grill pan. You don't need to add any oil to the pan, simply heat it up over the stove and place the sliced bread into the dry pan. Turn it over once during the cook and take care to char, not burn the bread!
- Remove the cooked tomatoes from the oven and place on top of the toasted bread.
- Pour over the melted butter and any pan juices. Serve immediately with a garnish of fresh basil.
Recipe substitutions
- I’ve used a variety of small heritage tomatoes in this recipe, but you can use any variety of tomato. I would recommend vine tomatoes as they do have more flavour. If using smaller tomatoes San Marzano (baby plum), or cherry tomatoes are great options.
- This recipe uses tarragon as the aniseed flavour compliments the tomatoes. However, more traditionally this dish is served with basil, or you could use parsley.
- Tomato Bruschetta also works with thyme or lemon thyme, both of which are delicious with tomatoes. I use the herbs that I have growing fresh in my garden and recommend you try that too.
- I have also suggested ciabatta bread in the recipe, however, feel free to substitute with whatever bread you have. A nice baguette, some focaccia, sliced sourdough or crust white bread are great substitutions. You just want a bread that once toasted soaks up all the juices from the tomatoes.
- For a gluten free roasted tomato bruschetta, use a gluten free bread base.
- This dish is prepared with butter towards the end of the cook. If you need to adapt this tomato bruschetta for vegan diners then simply remove the butter and replace it with olive oil instead.
- Add a little acidity to balance out the sweetness of the tomatoes, with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Useful hints & tips
- Enjoy bruschetta when freshly made as if left to sit the bread will soak up the toppings and become soggy.
- For gluten free diners swap regular ciabatta for a suitable gluten free bread.
- For dairy free and vegan diners swap the butter for olive oil.
- Allergy advice: egg free, soya free and peanut free. For comprehensive and detailed allergy advice go to Allergy UK.
FAQs
Tinned (canned) tomatoes are great to cook with, just not in this particular recipe. Whilst this recipe does roast the tomatoes, causing them to soften and break down a little, this adds to the flavour of the dish. However, tinned tomatoes would not work as you cannot roast them in the oven, then would simply fall apart.
Roasting tomatoes softens them up and really brings out their sweetness and there is a depth and intensity of flavour. Whereas, roasting the garlic softens the rawness in the garlic which can be a little harsh.
This dish is quick to prepare and benefits from being cooked and served once it is ready, otherwise the toasted bread will lose it's crunch and become soggy. Furthermore the tomatoes, garlic and fresh herbs will wilt if cut in advance and allowed to sit.
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Additional recipe suggestions
For other easy lunch ideas try these great recipes:
Roasted Tomato Bruschetta with Tarragon
Ingredients
- 12 baby plum tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic (finely sliced)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt & pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon (chopped)
- 50 g unsalted butter
- 1 ciabatta bread (cut into 6 slices and toasted)
Instructions
- Cut the tomatoes in half and place in an oven-proof dish. Push the slivers of garlic into the tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and scatter over half the chopped tarragon.
- Place the dish in a pre-heated oven at 160CFan for 30 minutes.
- Remove the tomatoes from the roasting dish and place on top of the bread.
- Meanwhile melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the remaining tarragon and any pan juices left in the roasting dish. Pour the butter mixture over the tomatoes and bread, and serve immediately.
Notes
• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •
louise Gunstone says
I LOVE tomato bruschetta, it's a classic. And this looks delicious. My husband built a greenhouse during 'lockdown'and is the tomatoes are coming through now BUT, he has a big problem... something is eating them!! He's so annoyed as he can't catch this tomato-hungry animal. lol. Any tips??
Lesley says
Thank you Louise, it is a very good bruschetta as cooking the tomatoes give them a lovely sweetness. I love that you now have a greenhouse thanks to lockdown, my Dad always grew tomatoes in his too. As somebody who loves to garden I feel your annoyance, I'll be admiring my courgettes, getting ready to pick them, only to find slugs have eaten half of it overnight! I've a real problem with slugs and snails and regardless how many I remove, there's always 10 more ready to take its place! I'd pay money for a hedgehog to come take up residence in my garden! Good luck finding out what's eating your tomatoes. Lesley x
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
This looks absolutely delicious. I love bruschetta but have never thought of roasting the tomatoes but I will definitely try it next time.
Lesley says
Thank you Cat, it's definitely worth roasting the tomatoes as it bring a lovely sweetness to the fruit. Lesley x
Helen - Cooking with my kids says
We've got loads of tomatoes ripening in our conservatory and I know what i'm going to make with them now! #cookblogshare
Lesley says
Thank you Helen, this really is a great recipe for using up all those tomatoes you have growing. A really great light lunch. Lesley x
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
Oh I adore bruschetta and your version looks delightful!
Lesley says
Thank you very much Kat, I love anything with tomatoes and this is a perfect light lunch. Lesley x
Beth Sachs says
I love simple tasty recipes like this that make use of homegrown tomatoes. Delicious! #CookBlogShare
Lesley says
Thank you Beth, it is a lovely fresh lunch making the very best of seasonal homegrown tomatoes. Lesley x
Janice Pattie says
Tomato Bruschetta is proably my favourite Italian appetiser, but it's not one I generally make at home I'm going to try your recipe becuase I think something amazing seems to happen to tomatoes when they are paired with garlic and bread.
Lesley says
Thank you Janice, I couldn't agree more, tomatoes with garlic and bread are close to perfection. This makes a great lunch dish. Lesley x
Jacqui – Recipes Made Easy:Only Crumbs Remain says
Oh what a perfect lunch this would be. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare
Lesley says
Thank you Jacqui, this is easily one of my favourite lunches, perfect with lovely ripe tomatoes. Lesley x