Pan con Tomate Recipe (Spanish Tomato Toast) Best Summer Antipasto

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Roma Tomatoes (ripe, firm; halved before grating)
• 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2 Tbsp for frying, 1 Tbsp for finishing drizzle)
• 4 slices Crusty Bread (thick slices with open crumb; bakery or country loaf works best)
• 1 clove Garlic (halved; used to rub hot bread)
• 1 teaspoon Cherry Vinegar (adds bright acidity to tomato mixture)
• 1 pinch Sea Salt (flaky) (optional topping for extra crunch)
• 1 pinch Freshly Ground Black Pepper (to taste)
• 1 pinch Sugar (optional; adds subtle sweetness if tomatoes are bland)
• 1 pinch MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) (optional; boosts umami flavor)

Instructions

1. Grate the Tomatoes

   Wash the Roma tomatoes, halve them, and grate the flesh (including skin) using a box grater into a bowl. This removes most of the skin and creates a coarse sauce.

   Time: PT5M

2. Season the Tomato Mixture

   Season the grated tomatoes with generous salt, a splash of cherry vinegar, freshly ground black pepper, and taste. Add a pinch of sugar or MSG only if needed to balance acidity or blandness.

   Time: PT3M

3. Slice the Bread

   Cut thick slices (about 1‑inch) from a crusty loaf such as a baguette or country bread.

   Time: PT2M

4. Fry the Bread

   Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium‑high heat. Add the bread slices, press down lightly with a spatula, and fry until golden brown on one side, then flip and brown the other side.

   Time: PT6M

   Temperature: 350°F

5. Garlic Rub

   Transfer the fried bread to paper towels to blot excess oil, then immediately rub each slice with the cut side of a halved garlic clove.

   Time: PT1M

6. Finish the Tomato Sauce

   If any tomato juice remains in the bowl, drain it (reserve for soup or cocktail if desired). Drizzle the remaining tomato mixture with the last tablespoon of olive oil, stir, and give a final taste adjustment.

   Time: PT2M

7. Assemble and Serve

   Pile generous amounts of the seasoned tomato mixture onto each garlic‑rubbed bread slice. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired and serve immediately.

   Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

180

Protein

5 g

Carbohydrates

30 g

Fat

6 g

Fiber

3 g