Wednesday 12 September 2007

Little Foodies Spain - Pan


I love Pan con tomate, bread with tomato. I think it's one of the nicest ways to eat bread. Whenever we're in Spain we have it for breakfast, with lunch or for a snack. It's just really GOOD! I like the whole ritual of toasting the bread, then rubbing the tomato on, spooning oil over the bread and then I very naughtily sprinkle with a little salt. When it's the weekend we rub the bread with garlic before the tomato, now that's goodness indeed. When we come home I forget about pan con tomate and don't make it so much. Why? I don't know. I guess because the tomatoes are in the fridge and there isn't the sun or the warmth. It's still really very good though! Especially with a few slices of Jamon Serrano, or Chorizo, or even Manchego Cheese.

To make some yourself. You will need a few thick slices of decent, rustic white bread
1 large very ripe tomato or a few smaller ones (must be very ripe as you need the juice)
1 clove of garlic (optional)
A little olive oil (the better quality the better it will taste as you're not cooking it)
A tiny sprinkle of salt (optional)

So feeling relaxed and happy with your lot, lightly toast the bread.
Cut the garlic clove in half and using the cut sides rub it over the bread several times
Cut the tomato in half and rub this over the bread several times
Drizzle with olive oil, a sprinkle of salt and eat.

I say feel relaxed and happy with your lot while you make it because I'm sure it adds to the flavour.

23 comments:

FH said...

So simple and delicious!!:)

Anonymous said...

I know what I am having for lunch tomorrow.
Mxxxxx

KellytheCulinarian said...

Mmm, and it's such a good time for tomatoes too.

Karen Baking Soda said...

All time favourite! My kids ask for this whenever they feel it's "gezellig" in the house. Even the pickiest eater makes sure his toast is rubbed with garlic ánd tomato (something he won't touch otherwise).
I also love to "serve" this as a snack when we have friends over... see their faces and after their first bite...scrumming for more!

Aimée said...

See, you understand what I am talking about with my obsession with bread, tomatoes and cheese. You're not pregnant are you? :)

Cynthia said...

I would definitely want mine to be sprinkled with a little salt and oh yeah, rubbing it with the garlic! The thing is though that you have to get good bread to do that not those thin-see-through-can't stand up regular sliced loaves.

Kelly-Jane said...

I don't think I've ever eaten tomatoes like this, but it sounds like a good lunch to me!

Anh said...

So delicious! This is something I know I will love!

Coffee and Vanilla said...

That is one of my favourite "dishes" as well!! :)
I'm going to the kitchen right now to have some bread and tomato... you made me hungry! :)

Greetings, Margot

p.s. Please visit my blog and vote for "Inspiring Food Photography", blog with the best food photos! :)

Marie Rayner said...

Amanda, there is nothing nicer than crispy toasted bread, fresh tomatoes, garlic and cheese. Heavenly bliss ...
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/

Cottage Smallholder said...

Thanks, Amanda. that will be lunch today with tomatoes from the garden. I can't wait that long so I think that I'll have it for breakfast now.

Truffle said...

Oh I couldn't agree more Amanda. You're bringing back fabulous holiday memories. Similarly to you when I got home the tomatoes in the fridge just did not compare to the intense flavour of those in Spain, so I didn't think to recreate this. After reading your post I'm determined to give it a try!

Anonymous said...

This is one of my favorite things to eat in Spain :) It so simple yet so spot-on delicious!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I can envision myself under the Spanish sun eating a lovely breakfast of tomatoes "pan". I will just close my eyes now and not leave this moment...and forget real life for just a second. Thank you!

Nora B. said...

I agree with you that being relaxed and happy adds to the flavour of food :-) I also don't make this as much as I should. Thanks for the reminder. With summer round the corner, I could even get Q to grill the bread on his precious bbq as we have breakfast in our little veranda.

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Happy and relaxed always adds flavor but this little treat adds to happy and relaxed!
Yes, this is always welcome in my house.

Tricia said...

This was dinner last night! Our first spurt of fall weather, a kitchen full of tomatoes -- it was perfect.

Pat said...

Ohhhhhhhh Lovely!!! One of my fav foods to eat. Tomato sandwiches!!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds wonderful and will make me think of exotic holidays abroad. Sara from farmingfriends

Chef Jeena said...

Hi there you have a great blog,lovely recipes. Feel free to visit my blog too :) Click Here For Food Recipes

Elle said...

This is what I had for lunch at work last week...without the garlic, 'cuz had to work with other folks and who needs garlic breath? Such a delicious way to enjoy ripe tomatoes!

Anonymous said...

Something very 1940's-era lunch was fried tomatoes on toast, something my mum used to give me - fried in a little olive oil it's one of the tastiest, cheapest and nicest ways to eat your way through a glut of homegrown tomatoes - a very British take on your wonderful pan con tomate!

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

Hi Asha, it is really good!

Hi Mum, hope you did!

Hi Kelly, it's a great time for tomatoes but a reminder that ours didn't do very well as they were hit with blight.

Hi Baking Soda, I'm intrigued as to what "gezellig" means. Will have to e-mail you.

Hi Aimee, I do understand, I do! But I'm not definitely not pregnant.

Hi Cynthia, it definitely needs good bread.

Hi Kelly-Jane, Give it a go, I think you'll love it.

Hi Anh, do try it. You'll eat it again and again I promise!

Hi Margot, Yes reading back through this has made me hungry for some too. We don't have any decent bread in the house though.

Hi Marie, Agreed!

Hi Fiona, Well, I know that you liked it from your post about it - thank you so much!

Hi Truffle, Holiday memories indeed.

Hi Joey, agreed!

Hi Valli, thank you for visiting my blog. Better still make some and then imagine.

Hi Nora, grilled on the bbq sounds really cool and would definitely add to it.

Hi Tanna, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thinks like that.

Hi Feeder of the hungry beans, How are you? You haven't posted in a while?

Hi Pat, Yummy!

Hi Sara, Thank you for visiting.

Hi Jeena, Thank you

Hi Elle, Yeah, that's why we tend to leave the garlic out until the weekend. It's only because it's raw. We tend to still cook loads with it midweek.

Hi Tash, Sounds very yummy but a reminder that our tomatoes didn't do too great.

Thank you all for your comments.
Amanda x

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