Description
Spanish tapas classic pan con tomate showcases Barcelona’s culinary simplicity with ripe tomatoes and crusty bread. Rustic Mediterranean flavors deliver a quick, elegant appetizer perfect for sharing with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf rustic bread (baguette or country-style)
- 4 medium-sized ripe tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic
Flavoring and Seasoning:
- 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Jamon iberico
- Anchovies
- Manchego cheese
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Select a rustic loaf and cut into generous slices, approximately 1-inch thick, ensuring uniform thickness for even toasting.
- Heat a grill or toaster to medium-high temperature, carefully toasting bread until edges develop a golden-brown crisp and surface becomes slightly crunchy.
- Slice ripe tomatoes in half, then use a box grater to extract pulpy flesh into a ceramic bowl, smoothly separating seeds and skin.
- Peel raw garlic cloves and vigorously rub cut sides across toasted bread surfaces, allowing aromatic oils to permeate crisp texture.
- Generously spread grated tomato mixture across each bread slice, creating an even, moisture-rich layer that covers entire surface.
- Drizzle premium extra virgin olive oil in elegant circular motions, ensuring consistent coverage across tomato-coated bread.
- Sprinkle high-quality sea salt flakes delicately over prepared slices, enhancing natural tomato and garlic flavors.
- Optionally garnish with fresh herbs like basil or add cured meats for additional complexity, if desired.
- Serve immediately while bread remains warm and crisp, presenting as a traditional Spanish-style appetizer or light meal.
Notes
- Select rustic, day-old bread for maximum flavor absorption and authentic texture.
- Ensure tomatoes are ripe and juicy for a more intense, fresh taste profile.
- Use a box grater with large holes to extract maximum tomato pulp and achieve traditional Spanish technique.
- Experiment with different bread varieties like sourdough or ciabatta for unique flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg