Bruschetta Pizzaiola style

Here is the recipe for preparing delicious pizzaiola-style bruschettas. This is a variation of the classic Italian appetizer that combines the rustic taste of bruschetta with the characteristic flavors of pizza.

Ingredients:

• Slices of homemade bread
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 400g of peeled tomatoes
• Dried oregano
• Fresh basil
• Mozzarella (or another stringy cheese of your liking)
• Pitted black olives (optional)
• Anchovies in oil (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Start by toasting the bread slices. You can use a preheated oven at 200 °C for a few minutes or a hot grill. Make sure they become crispy and golden.

2. While the bread slices cool down, take a clove of garlic and rub it on both sides of the toasted bread. This will give the bread a characteristic garlic flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.

3. Prepare the pizzaiola sauce by blending the peeled tomatoes with a pinch of salt, pepper, and some oregano. If you prefer, you can also lightly cook the sauce in a pan with a drizzle of oil and a whole garlic clove that you will remove later, to concentrate the flavors.

4. Slice the mozzarella thinly or into cubes, according to preference.

5. Spread the pizzaiola sauce over the bread slices, then add the mozzarella, and if you like an extra touch of flavor, add some sliced black olives and anchovies as well.

6. Bake the pizzaiola bruschettas for a few minutes, until the cheese has melted and is slightly golden.

7. Before serving, garnish with fresh basil leaves for a touch of color and freshness.

Curiosity

Bruschetta is a dish born from the Italian peasant cuisine, where day-old stale bread was reheated and enriched with simple yet flavorful ingredients. The pizzaiola version is an example of how imagination can transform simple recipes into delicious and appetizing variations.