This recipe is all about enjoying the intense earthy deliciousness of roasted tomatoes, mushrooms and garlic. The mushrooms have a strong savory, almost meaty flavor, that complements the delicate sweetness of the tomatoes. The roasted garlic is mellow and buttery. Slivered red onion and Kalamata olives add a counterpoint of salt and spice.
I adore recipes like this, where you take simple fresh ingredients, cook them to bring out their best, and serve them in a big tempting heap that everyone can't wait to dig into.
Great if you can find perfectly ripe tomatoes. But even if the tomatoes are not at their peak, the roasting process will bring out their sweetest and best.
Crimini mushrooms shrink and intensify in flavor when they are roasted. Roll them in olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper before cooking.
Thinly sliced red onion and slivered Kalamata olives are added at the end, while the roasting pan is still hot. They soften slightly and all the flavors meld, as they are mixed through.
When the tomatoes and mushrooms come out of the oven, toss them with the onions and olives immediately so the onions soften from the heat of the vegetables, and all the flavors meld.
You can use any firm fresh bread, but I like Ciabatta best for grilling.
I make this a lot in the summer when I'm entertaining. And I often bring it to a friend's house when I'm in charge of appetizers - it's always a huge hit.
MORE EXCEPTIONAL ROASTED VEGETABLE RECIPES FROM PANNING THE GLOBE:
- Roasted Cauliflower Potatoes and Chickpeas with Kalamata Olive Vinaigrette
- Roasted Vegetable Antipasto
- Roasted Eggplant Dip
- Roasted Squash Stuffed with Roasted Vegetables
Try sitting around the table with family or friends on a beautiful summer evening, with a platter of roasted tomatoes and mushrooms and grilled bread and a glass of wine. It's something I enjoy and I hope you will too. Happy first day of summer tomorrow!
Here's the recipe for Roasted Tomatoes and Onions with Grilled Bread. If you try this recipe I hope you'll come back to leave a rating and a comment. I'd love to know what you think!
PrintRecipe
Roasted Tomatoes and Mushrooms with Grilled Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 mins
- Yield: 10-12
Description
Rustic bruschetta of roasted tomatoes and mushrooms, red onion, kalamata olives, and grilled bread. A great summer appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of ciabatta bread or another fresh firm bread, sliced into ½ inch to ¾ inch thick slices.
- Olive oil
- 10-12 large plum tomatoes, rinsed, dried and cut in half lengthwise.
- 1 pound of crimini or baby bella mushrooms (about 24), washed, dried, stems removed.
- 8 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced into quarters, lengthwise
- 6-8 fresh thyme sprigs plus extra for garnish
- Kosher salt
- Fresh ground pepper
- 24 pitted kalamata olives, sliced into quarters lengthwise
- 1 small red onion, peeled, sliced in half from root end to root end, then each half very thinly sliced, crosswise.
- A splash of balsamic vinegar, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Heat grill to medium-high. Lay bread slices on a large tray and brush on both sides with olive oil. (3 tablespoons should be enough for all the bread) Grill bread for a minute or two per side, checking often, until it is crisp in places and there are some grill marks, but it is still supple. After it's grilled, I like to cut each bread slice crosswise into three smaller pieces. Set bread aside. (when bread cools, it can be stored in a sealed baggie for a couple of hours until you are ready to serve)
- Spread 3 tablespoons olive oil over the bottom of a large baking dish with low sides. Sprinkle garlic and thyme sprigs around. Add the tomatoes cut side up. Sprinkle tops of tomatoes with 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of fresh ground pepper. Flip them over into the oil so they are cut side down.
- Spread 2 tablespoons olive oil over the bottom of a medium baking dish with low sides or a jellyroll pan. Add mushrooms and roll them around in the oil to coat. Turn them so they are stem side down. Sprinkle them with ½ teaspoon of salt and several grinds of fresh ground pepper.
- Roast the tomatoes in the bottom third of the oven and the mushrooms in the top third for 1 ½ hours, flipping both over after 45 minutes. Remove trays from the oven. (note: cook tomatoes for an extra 5-15 minutes if there's still a lot of liquid in the pan, checking every 5 minutes until the pan juices are reduced and thickened) Add sliced onion and olives to the tomatoes immediately and gently stir to combine, while the pan is still hot, so the onions soften and all the flavors meld. Slice the larger mushroom caps in half, if you like, and add the mushrooms to the mix. Stir gently to combine. Add a splash of balsamic vinegar if you like.
- Heap the grilled tomato and mushroom mixture onto a platter surrounded by the grilled bread. Garnish with fresh thyme, if you like. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: oven, grill
- Cuisine: Out of This World
George Frynell
After drooling over this recipe for ages I finally decided to make it and it turned out wonderful! It's got all the right flavors from the earthy mushrooms to the briney kalamatas! Call me crazy but this is also a great winter app; roasting tomatoes always makes them seem less summery to me
Mary Gallagher
Fabulous appetizer... made this to bring to a friend's house last weekend and now she wants to make it for her son's engagement party this weekend. She thought it was spectacular fresh, delicious appetizer and easy to make ahead of time. You just have such great and easy party food.
Camilla
I just discovered your blog and have pinned several of your recipes just today. I can't wait to make them! I love your blog concept of learning about US and world cultures through their cuisines! I have lived in France for 3 years on and off, spent a semester leading college study abroad programs in Ireland and South Africa, and have visited Martinique, India, Japan, Tunisia, and several European countries. Food is such an essential part of culture. Thank you for taking us around the globe with your recipes!
Lisa Goldfinger
Wow, Camilla,you must enjoyed some amazing cuisine with all of your travels! Thanks so much for visiting Panning the Globe!
Amanda
Thank you Lisa! This is the second time I've made this veggie dish! Really delicious. My boyfriend and I love the dish. Will try some of your other recipes！
Christie - Food Done Light
Just found your blog and love the concept and recipes I've seen. I love to cook recipes from all over the world too. I cannot wait to read more of your recipes.
Donna
I made this twice this weekend because it was that good. Everyone loved it and my husband was inspired to put it on his burger. Delicious and easy.
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs
This looks absolutely delicious!! You make me wish I was having this stuff for dinner tonight... amazing recipe ;--)
Donna
Wow! This looks spectacular. I have a summer party this weekend and will be bringing this as an appetizer. I will let you know how it comes out. Your blog is beautiful. The pictures are stunning.