Preheat your grill, toaster, or broiler.

Slice the crusty bread into thick, diagonal pieces.

Lightly toast the bread until golden brown, ensuring it remains slightly chewy on the inside.

While the bread is toasting, dice the ripe tomatoes into small, bite-sized pieces.

Finely chop the fresh basil leaves.

In a bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, chopped basil, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, a splash of balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.

Mix the ingredients gently to allow the flavors to meld.

Take a garlic clove and rub it on one side of each toasted bread slice. This will add a subtle garlicky flavor.

Spoon a generous amount of the tomato and basil mixture onto each toasted bread slice, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.

Serve the bruschetta at room temperature and enjoy!