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Pan con Tomate' y Anchoa—Garlic, Olive Oil, and Fresh Tomato on Toasted Bread

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Pan con Tomate' y Anchoa—Garlic, Olive Oil, and Fresh Tomato on Toasted Bread Cookbook cover image courtesy of Random House

Nothing could be more simple and down to earth than this tapa, but its appeal is universal. It originated in Catalunya, but can now be found all over Spain. In fact, I will never forget a breakfast of exceptional pan con tomate and steaming café con leche at an outdoor café overlooking the mountains of Granada in Galera, a town of cave dwellings. The recipe that follows has the advantage of last-minute assemblage, so the bread doesn't get soggy. Since ingredients are few, it goes without saying that the very best tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and anchovies are essential. If last-minute preparation is not a problem, I suggest the even simpler traditional method of toasting the bread, rubbing it with a cut clove of garlic, then rubbing with a cut tomato, squeezing the tomato gently as you rub. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt.

Ingredients

serves 4

1 1/2 pounds very ripe and flavorful tomatoes, preferably plum tomatoes, split in halves crosswise
2 large garlic cloves, mashed to a paste
4 tablespoons best-quality fruity extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Kosher or sea salt
Good-quality French-style loaf, split in half and halves cut into 4-inch lengths
8 to 16 best-quality anchovy fillets, preferably jarred, optional
  1. Step 1

    With a coarse grater held over a bowl grate the tomatoes down to the skin. Pour off any excess liquid. Add the garlic, olive oil, and salt to taste (the mixture should be well seasoned). Let sit for a few minutes to meld flavors.

    Step 2

    Lightly toast the split bread and drizzle with olive oil. Pour the tomato mixture into a serving bowl and arrange the bread and anchovies, if using, on plates. Let each guest spread the tomato mixture on the bread and top it off with one or two anchovy fillets.

Nutrition Per Serving

Per serving: 170.0 calories
130.0 calories from fat
14.0g total fat
2.0g saturated fat
0.0mg cholesterol
130.0mg sodium
9.0g total carbs
2.0g dietary fiber
7.0g sugars
3.0g protein
#### Nutritional analysis provided by [TasteBook
using the USDA Nutrition Database]( )
La Cocina de Mamáby Penelope Casas © 2005 by Penelope Casas. Published by Broadway Books. All Rights Reserved.PENELOPE CASASis a frequent contributor to theNew York Times,Gourmet,Bon Appetit,Food & Wine,Fine Cooking, andCondé Nast Traveler. Casas is also a consultant and lecturer on Spain, a guest speaker at the Smithsonian and the National Geographic Society, and an adjunct professor at New York University. In recognition of her efforts on behalf of Spain, the Spanish government awarded her the National Prize of Gastronomy, the Medal of Touristic Merit, and named her Dame of the Order of Civil Merit. She and her husband have led gastronomic tours of Spain for more than twenty years. They live in New York City.
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  • Very simple, but very good. I used sourdough baguettes that I had baked just that day and toasted for a dinner party, then I toasted the remainder to take to work the next day. I came back in about an hour and they had eaten four baguettes...the receptionist described a feeding frenzy! I even used more garlic than called, as I wasn't sure if my cloves were "large" enough. Great appetizer, and grating the tomato wasn't near as intimidating as it sounds; I didn't have access to plum tomatoes, so I used small tomatoes on the vine which meant there was a "bit" more liquid, which really couldn't be poured off as it was pretty much all tomato! Simple and good; a great combination for last minute appetizers!

    • deliusfan

    • Sarasota, FL

    • 10/26/2010

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