Catalan Tomato Bread (pa amb tomàquet)

Catalan tomato bread is a delicious and classic Spanish tapa. Grilled bread is rubbed with fresh garlic and tomato while warm, then drizzled with olive oil and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. A simple light summer meal or appetizer, this grilled garlic tomato bread is bursting with flavor.

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Catalan tomato bread

Catalan tomato bread, also known as pan con tomate, pan catalan, or pan tumaca is a simple, yet delicious appetizer or snack. It requires almost no cooking, and it’s the perfect bite on a warm summer afternoon.

What you need to know

Because there are so few ingredients, you want to use the best quality that you can get your hands on. You will taste each component, and choosing subpar ingredients will lead to disappointment. That doesn’t mean you need to choose pricey ingredients. It’s a simple as perfectly ripe tomatoes and good bread.

The other thing to note here, is that this is not suitable for making ahead of time. It is best eaten immediately, while still slightly warm from the grill. If left sitting for too long, the bread, topped with tomato and olive oil, will become soggy.

Ingredients

To make this Catalan pa amb tomàquet recipe, you’ll only need 5 ingredients.

• Hearty white bread – A sturdy bread like a ciabatta or sourdough loaf would work well here.
• Olive oil – Choose one that you like, because you will taste it.
• Tomatoes – Juicy, ripe tomatoes only. Underripe tomatoes will ruin this dish.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic, for rubbing on the bread.
• Flaky salt – A little sprinkle of salt will turn up the volume on all on these flavors

How to make pa amb tomàquet

Here’s a quick summary of how to make. Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe. 

1. Preheat grill (or grill pan on the stove, or broiler in the oven) to medium hot heat. Grill bread for a couple of minutes on each side. Rub slices with garlic clove while warm.
2. Rub the toast with a cut tomato – the goal is to leave a thin layer of tomato on the bread.
3. Drizzle with olive oil. Choose one with a flavor that you like. My personal favorite is an arbequina olive oil.
4. Sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt over the toast. Maldon salt is my top choice, but fleur de sel or any coarse salt will work. Enjoy immediately!

Another note I want to point out is in the grilling of the bread – don’t be afraid of a little char. It gives the tomato bread excellent flavor. You want the bread to have a deep golden brown color when you take it off the grill.

Catalan tomato bread FAQ’s

Variations and substitutions

• Try it with Serrano ham – In my humble opinion, this is perfect in its simplicity.  Garlic, tomato, olive oil, salt. I don’t need anything else, but if you feel you need a little something extra a few slices of good jamón serrano would be a great addition.
• Grate the tomatoes for a thicker layer – Some people use a box grater to grate the tomatoes, then pile them on top for a thicker layer of tomato pulp. Note that this is delicious, but it will also make the bread soggier much quicker.
• No grill – If grilling the bread isn’t an option, you can use a grill pan on top of the stove, or toast the bread under the broiler in the oven.

Serving suggestions

Serve this Barcelona style tomato bread with a glass of Spanish rioja and a big green salad for a light summer meal.

This is perfect alongside a mixed grill, a bowl of soup, as a starter or even just a light lunch or afternoon snack. Or, throw a tapas party at home with a few of these Spanish recipes:

• Gambas al ajillo – Garlicky shrimp with crushed red pepper and parsley is a classic Spanish appetizer. 
• Spanish-style marinated olives – Made with garlic, citrus, rosemary and Spanish olive oil.
• Tortilla española – A delicious potato and onion omelette, it also makes a fantastic sandwich.

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My story of Catalan tomato bread

I had been dreaming about travelling to Spain for over a decade, so when I finally landed there for the first time in April of 2000, I cried. The moment my feet touched Spanish soil, I was almost in disbelief.   

I was so overwhelmed that I could not contain my pure joy. It felt as if the entire universe lined up and planted me exactly where I was supposed to be for that one perfect moment.

When people ask that hypothetical question “If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?” My answer has always been – travel. I’ve always been a big believer in getting out of your own little bubble. I enjoy experiencing different countries through their food, culture, traditions, etc. It reminds me that we are not all that different from one another. 

Catalonia

I had been studying the language, history and politics of Spain and Latin America since I was 14 years old and I was more than ready to be fully immersed and gain experiences I could not get from a book, no matter how much I studied. 

Everything was different in Spain – the food, the language, the sounds, the smells… and I couldn’t have been happier.

My first stop was a little tapas place in Barcelona. I knew Spanish food, or at least I thought I did back then. There were the obligatory patatas bravas, croquetas, and of course the tortilla espanola, but I was in Catalunya and the menu was written in Catalan, not Spanish.

The bread

I saw this item on the menu “pa amb tomàquet”. I had no idea what it was, so I ordered it! That’s logical thinking, right? I figured if l didn’t like it, I just wouldn’t eat it.  

Well, I was in for the best surprise imaginable! Out came the server with pieces of thick-sliced, grilled bread that glistened with tomato pulp and olive oil. Once it got closer I could smell the garlic. I was in heaven.  

I bit down and the smokiness of the bread was the first thing I noticed, followed by the aroma of the garlic. The bread oozed olive oil onto my tongue hitting every taste bud as it rolled off into my mouth and the acidity from the tomatoes cut right through it.  The crunch of the sea salt as I began chewing was the part that put me right over the top. It was one of the best things I had that trip. So simple, yet incredibly satisfying.

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Originally published 8/1/13. Most recent update 6/26/24.