Pan con Tomate

We recently embarked on a culinary adventure to Spain, where we enjoyed classic, homestyle meals that are native to Spain – simple and delicious meals filled with seafood, tomatoes, and potatoes.

We dined on refreshing ceviche and gazpacho; enjoyed a traditional Spanish tortilla; made a quick and delicious dish of mussels and chorizo; and indulged in a creamy saffron tomato sauce with shrimp and garlicky mushrooms. [Check out the menu here!]

But as much as we love fresh seafood and experimenting with new flavors in the kitchen, our ultimate favorite dish during our ‘vacation to Spain’ (and our Kitchen Heroes would agree) was a simple vegetarian side dish – Pan con Tomate, or bread with tomato.

It sounds as simple as its name, with toasted bread and a flavorful tomato pulp. The bread is crisped up and rubbed with garlic, and the fresh tomatoes are grated and spread over the toasty, garlicky bread. A sprinkle of salt is all you need to finish the dish.

It’s hard to believe that something so easy would be so delicious, so to make this dish really stand out, we recommend using the best ingredients you can find. In this case, amazing tomatoes!

And if you need more convincing, just take it from a Cook Smarts member who has enjoyed this dish in Spain:

“Solid recipe that doesn’t require a lot of ingredients. The pan con tomate took me back to one of my favorite meals when I lived in Spain!”
-Emily

Smarts:

Just rubbing a bit of garlic on a slice of oiled and toasted bread goes a long way. Don’t skip this step!

Equipment Smarts:

Using a box grater is a quick and inexpensive way to get a nice tomato pulp.

Remember to strain the liquid from the tomatoes with a strainer, so that you only get the pulp!

For more kitchen and equipment and tool smarts, visit our ‘Essential Kitchen Cookware and Tools’