Pan con Tomate

a.k.a Bread with tomato!

Pan con tomate is your ticket to Spain in a single bite! Crispy bread rubbed with fragrant garlic, topped with a juicy blanket of fresh-grated tomato, bursting with summer flavor. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt to finish this masterpiece. It’s ridiculously easy, crazy delicious, and ready in minutes. So ditch the ordinary and toast your way to happiness with pan con tomate!

This classic tapa originates from Catalonia, Spain. It’s a simple dish made with toasted bread, rubbed with garlic, topped with grated tomato, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt. A little slice of healthy heaven.

Here’s what makes this simple recipe so tasty:

• Fresh ingredients: Perfectly ripe tomatoes bursting with flavor are key.
• The magic of toasted bread: Toasting adds a delightful textural contrast to the juicy tomatoes and creates a sturdy base for all the goodness.
• Aromatic garlic: Rubbing garlic on the bread infuses it with a subtle garlicky flavor that complements the tomatoes beautifully.
• High-quality olive oil: A good drizzle of olive oil ties everything together, adding richness and depth.

Pan con tomate’s simplicity allows the quality of the ingredients to shine. It’s a perfect example of how a few basic elements can come together to create something truly delicious. I prefer to make a fresh loaf of bread or a baguette with this recipe, but if you don’t have the time don’t let that stop you. Pick up a fresh baguette or your preferred bread type at your local grocer and still give this recipe a go!

How to make pan con tomate

1. Slice the bread into about 1/2 inch thick slices.
2. Spread olive oil on both sides of each slide of bread.
3. Toast the bread in a pan until golden brown and crisp.
4. While your bread is toasting, set up a large bowl with a strainer sitting across the bowl.
5. Grate as much of the tomato as you can.
6. You can discard any of the skin that didn’t get grated, and any liquid caught in the bowl.
7. Once discarded, transfer the grated tomato to the the strainer.
8. Season the grated tomato with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. **You can use chili oil to add a hint of heat.
9. Rub the toasted bread with a garlic clove.
10. Spoon the grated tomato mixture over the toasted bread.
11. Drizzle with olive oil and enjoy!