• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sweet Cayenne
  • ABOUT
    • Work With Me
  • RECIPES
    • All Recipes
    • RECIPES BY CATEGORY
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Desserts
    • Main Entree
    • Sides
    • Snacks
    • Cooking Tips
    • How-To Guides
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CONTACT
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CONTACT
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • NEWSLETTER
    • CONTACT
    • PHOTOGRAPHY
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Appetizers

    Basil Pesto and Roasted Tomato Bruschetta

    Published: Jun 4, 2014 · Modified: Aug 7, 2020 by Whitney Reist · This post may contain affiliate links |

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Bruschetta

    I wish I had a garden.  My Facebook news feed has been filled with lovely pictures of fresh tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and herbs from friends and I'm aching to get in on the gardening action!  Unfortunately my experience with growing things is very limited, due to spending the last 6 years of my life in apartments with little to no porch sunlight and the sweltering hot Texas weather.  This apartment in Nebraska isn't much better- our porch gets zero direct sunlight here.  Kudos to all of you who are putting the time and effort into growing your own food - I hope the fruits of your labor will be abundant this year!

    Video

    Watch this quick video to see how I make homemade pesto:

    Roasted-Tomatoes

    The recipe I'm sharing with you today is nothing short of garden fresh - grape tomatoes, basil, baby spinach, garlic, lemons....all items that I've seen growing in gardens the past month.  This is one of those dishes that tastes like pure summer - it's so fresh and flavorful that as I was eating, I couldn't help but roll my eyes and marvel at how good it was with every bite.  And don't even get me started on the smell that filled my apartment as I slow-roasted these tomatoes in my oven for 6 (yes, 6!) hours and then proceeded to whip up a batch of fresh basil pesto.  It was almost too much to handle...my mouth was watering ALL day.

    Bruschetta-Ingredients

    If you have access to any of the above ingredients, please make this dish right away!  Use the best ingredients you can possibly find and you might just discover one of the best things to ever come out of your kitchen.  Good quality olive oil and balsamic syrup are a must.  Fresh, crusty bakery bread is imperative.  And please, don't skip out on using freshly-grated Parmesan in your pesto!  This light and healthy bruschetta will be your new favorite side dish, appetizer, snack, and party dish for the rest of the summer.  Enjoy!

     

    Hungry for more? Be sure to follow the newsletter and find me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram!

    Recipe

    Bruschetta-Ingredients

    Basil Pesto and Roasted Tomato Bruschetta

    Hot crusty bread is topped with garden fresh basil pesto, slow roasted tomatoes and a syrupy balsamic reduction.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetcayenne5 or tag #sweetcayenne!
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours hours
    Total Time: 6 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10 Pieces

    Ingredients

    Homemade Basil Pesto or store-bought pesto

      Slow Roasted Tomatoes:

      • 1 pint grape tomatoes
      • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
      • ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
      • ¼ teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper

      Balsamic Syrup:

      • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
      • 1 teaspoon honey
      • Fresh crusty bread I recommend ciabatta, French, sourdough, or a whole grain baguette, sliced into ½'' thick slices.

      Instructions

      For the slow-roasted tomatoes:

      • Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Place washed tomatoes on a baking sheet lined with foil. Sprinkle oil, salt and pepper on tomatoes and toss to coat. Roast for 6 hours, tossing the tomatoes on pan every 2 hours.

      For the balsamic syrup:

      • Place balsamic vinegar and honey in a small sauce pan and whisk to combine. Heat the mixture on medium heat till it starts to simmer. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the mixture is reduced by half. It will look thick and syrupy. Remove from heat and transfer to storage container when done.

      For the bread:

      • Add 1 teaspoon butter and 1 teaspoon olive oil to a skillet on medium heat. Toast the bread in the skillet for about 3 minutes on each side or until golden and crispy. Alternatively, you can toast the bread on a sheet pan in the oven, but I prefer the skillet method for flavor and texture!

      Assembly:

      • Spread toasted bread slices with pesto, top with roasted tomatoes and a drizzle of the balsamic syrup. Serve warm or at room temperature.

      Notes

      1. Slow roasted tomatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Toss them in hot pasta, grain salads, use as toppings for pizza, wraps and sandwiches. Or just enjoy them alone - they taste like candy!
      2. Balsamic syrup will keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 weeks. Drizzle on ice cream, fruit, salads, or use as a dip for bread.
      3. Basil pesto will keep in a an airtight container in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Place plastic wrap on the surface of pesto to avoid discoloration. Use leftover pesto on chicken, grilled meats, sandwiches, pizza, salads, and eggs!
      Serving: 1Piece | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.2g | Protein: 7.8g | Fat: 1.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 477mg | Potassium: 176mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3.2g | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

       

      Don't miss these recipes!

      • A St. Patrick's day themed snack board with corned beef, sauerkraut, soda bread, and other charcuterie items.
        St. Patrick's Day Grazing Board
      • Bell Pepper Nachos
      • An overhead shot of a black iron platter filled with items for a holiday charcuterie board.
        Styling a Festive Charcuterie Board
      • A white bowl filled with Italian marinated mozzarella pearls with a sprig of fresh basil on top.
        Italian Marinated Mozzarella Pearls

      Want more?

      Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get exclusive content (like menus, cooking downloads, and more!), blog recaps, and a chance to connect or be featured!

      Affiliate Disclosure

      Many of the links in my posts are affiliate links, which means I can get a small commission for any click or purchases made through the links. I am also an Amazon Associate and I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Dawn Hight says

        June 11, 2014 at 9:18 pm

        This is delicious! A very favorite of mine since you first made it for us! Can't wait to have it again!

        Reply
        • Whitney Reist says

          June 12, 2014 at 11:24 am

          Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

      2. Jacque says

        June 06, 2014 at 12:52 pm

        This looks absolutely awesome! I was looking for something fresh and sophisticated to serve for a friends' visit this weekend. My tomatoes will come straight from the garden and go into the oven Sat. morning. Cant wait to chow down!

        Reply
        • Whitney Reist says

          June 07, 2014 at 4:44 pm

          Thank you! Hope you enjoy the recipe and your friend's visit 🙂

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      Primary Sidebar

      Hello there!

      I'm Whitney, the chef, photographer, dietitian, and blogger-extraordinaire behind Sweet Cayenne. Welcome to my online kitchen!

      About Whitney & Sweet Cayenne

      What's In Season

      • A white bowl filled with pizza pasta salad garnished with fresh basil leaves.
        Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad
      • A glass of jalapeño lemonade on a wooden tray.
        Fresh Jalapeño Lemonade
      • A white platter on a yellow towel with pork pineapple kabobs.
        Grilled Pork Adobo Kabobs
      • A tomato tart on parchment paper topped with basil sprigs and two slices of tart coming out on the side.
        Southern Tomato Tart
      • Sweet Tea Granita with Lemon Syrup
      • A brown-rimmed bowl with zucchini pasta salad and a spoon on the side.
        Summer Pasta Salad with Zucchini

      Free cookbook and menu planners!

      Subscribe to my weekly newsletter & receive a free e-cookbook of my 25 best recipes along with menu planning sheets!

      Summer Grilling:

      A white platter on a yellow towel with pork pineapple kabobs.

      Grilled Pork Adobo Kabobs

      A grilled steak sandwich with peaches on a pink rimmed plate.

      Balsamic Flat Iron Steak Sandwich

      Two bowls with foil packs of grilled shrimp, corn, and potatoes.

      Grilled Shrimp Boil Foil Packs

      Grilled sausage, corn, and zucchini kabobs on a bamboo cutting board.

      Grilled Sausage, Zucchini and Corn Kabobs

      These easy Peach BBQ Chicken Kabobs have been one of my favorite meals this summer - they are easy to marinate in Rubbermaid Brilliance containers!

      Easy One-Dish Peach BBQ Chicken Kabobs

      Hamburger on a plate with an ear of corn as a side.

      The Secret Ingredient for the BEST Homemade Burgers

      Travel Here Next:

      • The product wall of skincare items at Lemon Laine Oil Bar in Nashville, TN.
        Nashville Finds: Lemon Laine Oil Bar
      • A girl standing on a beach in Positano, Italy.
        Positano, Italy: Budget-Friendly Travel Guide
      • A photo of Civita di Bagnoregio in Italy
        The Best Tuscan Road Trip Itinerary + Tips on Driving in Italy
      • A traveling foodie's guide to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy - including what to taste in Parma, Modena, and Bologna! European travel guide and itinerary.
        A Foodie's Guide to Emilia-Romagna, Italy

      Cooking Guides

      • Three chicken tacos with mango salsa on a wood cutting board.
        Cookbook Club: Super Simple Cookbook Review
      • A collage of girls holding dishes they have made for a cookbook club
        Sweet Cayenne Cookbook Club | Tips for Planning and Hosting
      • A brunette woman reading a cookbook at a white marble counter with a mixing bowl on top.
        5 Ways to Become a Better Cook
      • An overhead shot of a gray bowl with fresh cranberries, two apples and sprigs of thyme on the side.
        Facts About Food: Where to Go for Answers & Guidance

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      About

      • Privacy Policy

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up for emails and updates

      Contact

      • Contact
      • Photography Services

      As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2022 SweetCayenne