Description
Ina Garten’s basil scalloped tomatoes recipe brings summer garden freshness to classic side dishes. Mediterranean ingredients create a simple yet elegant accompaniment perfect for weekend gatherings and casual dinner parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (960 ml) ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cups (450 g) bread cubes, preferably from day-old bread
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (20 g) fresh basil, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal cooking environment for the scalloped tomatoes.
- Bread Coating: Toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper, ensuring each cube is thoroughly and evenly seasoned.
- Tomato Mixture: Blend diced tomatoes, brown sugar, additional olive oil, and fresh basil leaves, mixing until ingredients are completely integrated and aromatic.
- Assembly: Lightly oil a baking dish, layer the seasoned bread cubes as a crisp foundation, then generously spread the tomato mixture over the top, creating a vibrant base.
- Cheese Topping: Lavishly sprinkle Parmesan cheese across the surface, ensuring complete coverage for a golden, crispy finish.
- Baking Process: Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a perfectly caramelized crust and bubbling tomatoes that signal ideal doneness.
- Serving: Remove from the oven, allow to rest for 5-7 minutes to harmonize flavors, then serve as a delectable side dish or light main course, optionally paired with a fresh green salad.
Notes
- Choose Ripe Tomatoes: Select firm, deeply colored tomatoes at peak season for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Bread Cube Technique: Use day-old artisan bread for optimal crispiness and better absorption of savory seasonings.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Grate Parmesan fresh for superior texture and more intense cheese flavor profile.
- Serving Temperature: Serve slightly warm to enhance the dish’s aromatic basil and caramelized tomato notes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg