Recipe – Pa Amb Tomaquet
This is a very easy traditional Catalan starter course and may also be served as tapas. Sometimes, it is topped with cured, sliced botifarres (sausages) or anchovies. Non-Catalan refer to it as Pan Tumaca – a crude phonetical spelling of the Catalan name.
Whether serving this dish as an appetizer or starter course, the host provides the toast and ingredients and the guests traditionally prepare their own meal.
Ingredients (for four portions):
Four slices thick good crusty Italian bread or French bread. (The original base used to be made with toasted slices of pa de pagès – Catalan peasants’ bread) 1 – Tomato, halved
1 – Clove garlic, halved
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Good Quality Sea Salt to taste.
Directions:
Grill or toast bread slices and deliver to the table hot.
Allow your guests to continue from here, under your ‘expert’ guidance!
Rub bread with garlic halves
Completely rub the tomato halves into the toast to soak the surface.
Drizzle with good olive oil to taste, then sprinkle with some sea salt.
Serve hot… Delicious!
