Pan Con Tomate
Pan con tomate is a simple but delicious Spanish tapa. Fresh grated tomatoes seasoned to perfection served on crusty bread is the perfect 10-minute appetizer or light meal.
What is Pan Con Tomate?
Originating in Catalonia, pan con tomate is the epitome of simplicity. Fresh tomatoes are grated then seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper. Grilled or toasted bread (often day-old bread) is rubbed with fresh garlic and the fresh tomato mixture is served on top.
Ingredients Needed
- Tomatoes. Use the ripest tomatoes you can find. This recipe is best made when tomatoes are in season and you can find good quality tomatoes at your local store or farmer’s market. If they are slightly under-ripe, leave them out on the counter at room temperature for a few days.
- Extra-virgin olive oil.
- Salt and black pepper.
- Lemon juice. I like the way lemon and tomato plays together but this is an optional ingredient.
- Crusty bread. I used ciabatta.
- Fresh garlic cloves.
- Chives, optional.
How to make Pan Con Tomate
- Make the tomato mixture: Grate the tomatoes into a bowl using a box grater. Add olive oil and lemon juice then season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Serve: Grill/toast the bread then rub with a garlic clove you’ve cut in half. Spoon the tomato over the crusty bread and serve immediately.
Can I make this ahead?
The tomato mixture can be made up to a day in advance and kept in the fridge, however this recipe is so quick to make, I almost never make it in advance.
Serving Suggestions
Pan con tomate is the perfect quick and easy appetizer or tapa. We love it served on its own as a light lunch or speedy starter. It’s also good served with other tapas for dinner. We love it with fried squid, Easy white wine garlic mussels and Easy Stuffed Olives.
Tomato Recipes
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe tomatoes
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- 1-2 tsp lemon juice
- salt and black pepper to taste
- crusty bread to serve
- chopped chives to serve
Instructions
- Grate the tomatoes into a bowl using a box grater.
- Add olive oil and lemon juice then season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Grill/toast the bread using a grill pan or under the broiler of your oven then rub with a garlic clove you've cut in half.
- Spoon the tomato over the crusty bread and serve immediately.