Bringing Italy Home
One of the highlights of traveling to Italy is the food. No matter the region, it is exceptional. So often, with the simplest of ingredients, they create masterpieces. Once home, it becomes even more apparent that there is something unique in its cuisine, from the pizza to the pasta. One of the most remarkable differences is a core ingredient of Italian cuisine, the tomato. The flavor, the color, the smell, and the juiciness are hard to capture once home. One of our favorite dishes in Italy is fresh Tomato bruschetta. Upon returning home from our most recent travels, Joelle found herself extolling the wonders of bruschetta with her family and friends, making her miss Italy all the more.
To capture some of that magic, Joelle attempted to replicate it with the Tomato Balsamic Bruschetta we enjoyed so much. The biggest challenge is finding good tomatoes. It wasn’t as complicated as expected; she found fresh mini Marzano Roma tomatoes at Trader Joe’s. They were inexpensive, and as close as you could have imagined, you could get to real Italy tomatoes.
The Tomato and Balsamic Bruschetta was a massive hit with everyone, and it is the perfect appetizer. Even the one-year-old could not get enough of it, though he already was a fan of tomatoes. It motivated us to start a recipe page on the blog. This is our first recipe to launch the page.
Want to learn more about Italian tomatoes? Check out this Guide to Italian Tomatoes
The Tomato Balsamic Bruschetta recipe that follows is simple and quick to make. Many of the ingredients can be increased or decreased based on your audience. Joelle added more basil and crushed red pepper flakes to hers. It is an easy recipe to experiment with as well.
Please let us know how it went and what you did to make it your own. As we add more recipes, if you have any, you brought home from your travels, email them or share a link in the comment below. We may try it out and even feature it in a future entry.
In the meantime, buon appetito!
Tomato Balsamic Bruschetta
Ingredients
- 20 ounces fresh and well ripened plum tomatoes I used Trader Joe’s Mini San Marzano Plum tomatoes which were exceptional quality and reminded me of the tomatoes in Italy
- 1/2 cup Coarsely chopped fresh basil
- 3 cloves fresh garlic
- 1/2 cup sweet onion
- 1/3 cup shredded parmesean cheese Ideally freshly shredded
- 1 1/2-2 tbsp aged balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp fine black pepper
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- fine kosher salt to desired taste
- 1 full size french baquette sliced, lightly brushed with olive oil and rubbed with sliced garlic and toasted in the oven for about 5 minutes or to desired crispness.
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss together the tomatoes, basil, parmesan cheese, and onion. Mix in the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, black pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt. Refridgerate.
- Ideally make 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
- Serve in a bowl surrounded with sliced toasted baguette slices for an elegant presentation. Offer both a slotted and regular serving spoon as some like the juices and others may like it drier.
Notes
Enjoy your little piece of Italy!
Considering an Italian adventure? Check out our Italy Travel Guide
© 2024 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved
Check our other Italy Posts
Cinque Terre Visitor Guide and Photo Gallery
Everything you need to know to plan your perfect Cinque Terre visit “Italy is…
May 27, 2024
Aperol: The Orange Sensation
Our Fifth Featured Libation of the World comes from stunning Italy. The drink that…
March 28, 2024
Siena Italy: A Medieval Wonderment
“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.” anna…
December 4, 2023A Peek at Beautiful Italy
Do you have a question for us or have a comment?
Our Top Recommended Travel Products and Services
Travel Insurance
Squaremouth.com
Our favorite travel insurance site!
We could not be stronger advocates of being well-insured—not just for the little stuff but for the big things like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Our go-to place is Squaremouth.com. It does a fantastic job with its user-friendly interface and uses top-rated and reputable insurance carriers. They also mediate on your behalf if you have problems.
To empower you as a consumer, we suggest you read our blog post on the importance of travel insurance and how to get the best coverage from top-rated companies for an affordable price.
MedjetAssist
Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world
They are the premier global air medical transport. One caveat to travel insurance is that medical evacuation usually gets you to the closest facility to care for you. Medjet gets you back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you are stable enough to fly. A Medjet membership is only for medical transport. Medjet Horizon offers expanded coverage. They have individual trip policies starting at $99 and annual policies for around $300. Most of their policies limit the age to 74.
To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Accommodations and Airfare
Expedia and VRBO
Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours
Expedia is a US-based company whose mission is to power global travel for everyone and everywhere. Wanderers Compass focuses on independent travel, and using sites like Expedia makes that possible. Every aspect of travel you need, from airfare, accommodations, rental car, and cruises to activities to do at your destination, can be booked on Expedia.
Booking.com
Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours
Booking.com connects millions of travelers to memorable experiences, various transportation options, and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. It is one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes. It is our preferred booking site.
Transportation
Daytrip
Personalized city-to-city private car transfer service
Daytrip is an affordable private car service for city-to-city transfers around the world. We love their service, and it costs much less than renting a car. You can enjoy comfortable, stress-free travel with the added bonus of scenic sightseeing stops along your journey. For example, we used them between Budapest and Vienna, making some fantastic stops along the way. Their professional drivers and customizable routes ensure a smooth ride while allowing you to explore hidden gems and local attractions.
To learn more about how Daytrip, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Travel Experiences
Viator
The leading marketplace for travel experiences
Viator believes that making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences to explore—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche, interesting stuff in between)—making memories that will last a lifetime has never been easier. We use them often during our travels and love their liberal cancellation policy.
Communication products for seamless connectivity overseas
GigSky International eSIM Data Plans
Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks.
GigSky eSIM keeps travelers seamlessly connected worldwide without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or facing unexpected roaming charges. With affordable data plans and instant activation, you can enjoy reliable internet access in over 190 countries, making travel more convenient than ever. They have a great offer, a 100 MB data plan for free, and no credit card is required. They are that confident you will love their product!
Enjoy 10% off all GigSky Plans (except cruise and inflight) with our discount code WCOMPASS10
To learn more about how GigSky, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Shopping
Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront
An excellent source for all travel essentials and guides
Amazon is one of the most comprehensive online shopping sources in the world. Teams worldwide provide lower prices, better selection, and rapid delivery on behalf of customers. They offer a vast inventory, and their 1.7 million small and medium businesses worldwide selling on Amazon.com offer extensive options to customers.
This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Cechk out our most recent blog posts
Hilton Buenos Aires: Discover Luxury, Elegance, and Vibrant Puerto Madero
The Hilton Buenos Aires, located in the vibrant Puerto Madero district, offers luxurious accommodations,…
July 26, 2024
Travel Transformed My Life: A Journey of Growth and Discovery
Ryan’s journey demonstrates how travel profoundly changed his life, from a challenging childhood to…
July 25, 2024
Discover the Magic of Ghent, Belgium: A Timeless Beauty
Ghent, Belgium, is a cultural treasure in the Flemish region, boasting medieval architecture, a…
July 25, 2024
Unlocking Worldwide Connectivity: How GigSky eSIM Makes Traveling Easy for Everyone
In an increasingly connected world, reliable mobile data while traveling is essential. After experiencing…
July 23, 2024
Why Daytrip Personalized Car Service is the Smart Choice for Travelers
Daytrip car service offers convenient, personalized city-to-city transfers with local drivers, modern vehicles, and…
July 23, 2024
The Issue with Resort Fees: A Call for Transparency and Fair Pricing
Travel enriches lives by immersing us in new cultures and creating lasting memories. However,…
July 21, 2024
Are These 5 Top Destinations On Your List?
“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake.…
July 21, 2024
Unveiling the Secrets of Malta: History, Beauty, and Resilience
There is no rose without thorns maltese proverb Mighty Malta Malta is a tiny island…
July 9, 2024
Top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad: Your Ultimate Guide
Increase your odds of smooth travels and reduce stress by using our top 25…
June 21, 2024
No Comments