Perhaps one of the most memorable culinary moments in the movie, Julia and Julia, is watching Julie, a blogger trying to figure out her life via the cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her lovely husband Eric, devour the Bruschetta with colorful heirloom tomatoes. If you don’t know what I’m talking about (or have not seen the movie yet), please have Netflix send you the DVD immediately! I couldn’t watch the scene without almost passing out in gastronomic ecstasy!  Talk about a food porn!

Here’s my attempt to recreate the wonders of Julie and Julia’s Bruschetta. I think this dish makes a great appetizer, as well as a meal. Heirloom tomatoes are the ultimate gift from the earth, with their perfectly imperfect, character-filled shapes and the robust flavor. No wonder French, always the romantic, call these little heavenly morsels the “apple of love” — very appropriate for the Valentine’s Day!

Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta (serves 4 with 2 pieces of bread each)

3 Heirloom tomatoes
1 regular red tomato (optional)
1/4 onion, chopped
5-10 Basil leaves, chiffnade
Handful of Parsley, chopped
1 Haas avocade, diced
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoon garlic, crushed or finely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Baguettes, sliced thick
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup Olive Oil
Parmesan cheese, shaved, for garnish
Tabasco, to taste

Chop tomatoes into cubes, and tossed them with diced onion, avocado, handful of chopped basils and parsley, and garlic, and dressed it with lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper.

Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes (the longer you let the mixture sit, the better!)

Fry the baguette with olive oil until the outside gets nice and toasty (I like mine crunchy so I let it toast until both sides are nice and golden brown). Pile the tomato mixture on bread.  Put shaved Parmesan cheese and a few drops of Tabasco for a beautiful finish.

Mind you, eating the Bruschetta can get a little messy. Diced tomatoes might fly all over the place while you’re enjoying each bite, but I promise that you’ll finish every piece, whether they land on the plate, or your lap!

I’m off to watch the Olympics Opening Ceremony now! Go Team USA! Go Team Japan! Go Team Canada!