“Spanish” Tomato Bread

We have spent a lot of time in Spain from Barcelona to Madrid and just about everywhere else.  The one thing we look forward the most is the tomato bread which has now gone global.  In it’s simplest version is grilled bread with raw garlic rubbed on in, a little olive oil, then you smush a tomato on it and use flaky salt to finish it off.  Absolutely delicious.  We add a few herb, chives and basil, to brink it up a level and make it truly international.  This is great all year round and easy to do.

As you can see above, our favorite spot in London, Dubai and Miami is Le Petit Maison, just puts all the ingredients on the table and tosses you a piece of crusty bread so each guest can make their own tomato bread.  We like add a little more with herbs to punch up the flavor.

Ingredients 

• 6 pieces of crusty bread, thinly cut,  grilled at 450 degrees on each side for 4-5 minutes
• Peeled garlic cloves cut in half
• 3 ripe tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons of fresh basil, cut in thin strips
• 2 tablespoons of fresh chives, chopped finely
• Malden salt
• 2 Lemons

Making It

• Grill the bread on a hot & oiled gas grill for 4 minutes each side (criss-cross like above), or broil in the oven until charred
• When the bread is grilled rub the garlic down the middle, on deep swipe
• The rest can be done you in the kitchen or have the ingredients on the table and have your guests do it
• Cut the tomatoes in half and aggressively smush them on bread
• Sprinkle the herbs on then add salt and serve
• Gave a lemon cut in half for those who want a citrus kick