How to Make the Perfect Pan con Tomate
Spanish · Easy · 10 min · 4 servings
The simplest and most satisfying Spanish tapa of toasted bread rubbed with raw garlic and the flesh of ripe tomatoes, finished with a generous pour of olive oil and flaky salt. It proves that the finest ingredients need almost no preparation to shine.
Why this recipe works
This Pan con Tomate recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 10 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 180 calories with 4g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 loaf rustic sourdough or ciabatta bread thickly sliced
- 4 large very ripe tomatoes halved crosswise
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and halved
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt
- 0 pinch black pepper optional
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Grill or Toast the Bread
Toast the bread slices on a hot griddle pan, in a toaster, or under a broiler until deeply golden and crispy on both sides. The bread should be firm enough to withstand vigorous rubbing without falling apart.
Step 2: Rub with Garlic
While the bread is still hot, take a halved garlic clove and rub the cut side firmly over the entire surface of each toast slice. The heat of the bread helps the garlic perfume absorb into it beautifully.
Step 3: Rub with Tomato
Take a halved ripe tomato and rub the cut side firmly over the garlic-rubbed bread in a circular motion, pressing down so the juice and pulp saturate the bread. Discard the remaining tomato skin.
Step 4: Season and Serve
Drizzle each slice generously with extra virgin olive oil and finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt. Serve immediately while the bread is still warm and before it has any chance to become soggy.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- sourdough bread → baguette slices for a crunchier smaller version
- fresh ripe tomatoes → good quality canned crushed tomatoes when fresh tomatoes are not in season
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using underripe tomatoes which do not have enough juice or flavor to properly saturate the bread
- Preparing pan con tomate too far in advance which makes the bread soggy and unpleasant
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 180 calories, 4g protein, 24g carbs, 8g fat, 2g fiber.
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