Description
Tomato Brown Butter Bread is a savory and flavorful appetizer featuring golden brown butter blended with tangy tomato paste, roasted garlic, and herbs, spread generously on ciabatta slices topped with melted Gruyere and Parmigiano cheeses. Baked to perfection and garnished with fresh oregano and crushed red peppers, this deliciously rich bread makes a perfect snack or party starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Browning Butter Mixture
- 6 oz Unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup Tomato paste
- 2 tsp Tamari
- 5 Garlic cloves, roasted and minced
- 1/2 tsp Dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Toppings and Bread
- Gruyere cheese, to taste
- Parmigiano cheese, to taste
- Fresh oregano, to taste
- Crushed red peppers, to taste
- 8 slices Ciabatta bread
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: Place the unsalted butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until the butter is golden brown and aromatic.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook it in the brown butter for 1-2 minutes to develop a rich, umami flavor.
- Incorporate Flavors: Add the roasted and minced garlic, tamari, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the butter mixture. Stir well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Whip the Mixture: Transfer the butter mixture over ice and whip it until it becomes creamy and fluffy, enhancing the texture for spreading.
- Assemble and Bake: Spread the whipped brown butter mixture generously over the ciabatta slices. Top each slice with Gruyere and Parmigiano cheese. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes until the cheese melts and the bread is toasted.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle fresh oregano and crushed red peppers over the bread for a fresh, spicy finish. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use roasted garlic or garlic confit for a milder, sweeter garlic flavor.
- Adjust the amount of cheese according to your preference for richness.
- Ensure the butter is browned but not burned for the best nutty flavor.
- Tamari adds a salty, umami depth but can be substituted with soy sauce if needed.
- This bread is best served warm fresh from the oven for optimal texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Keywords: Tomato Brown Butter Bread, baked appetizer, ciabatta with cheese, savory bread, Gruyere, Parmigiano, roasted garlic, brown butter, tomato paste spread
