Favorite Local Recipe: Pan con Tomate in Barcelona, Spain

While I have tried so many amazing foods while studying abroad in Barcelona, from paella to a variety of tapas to churros con chocolate, one of my favorites has to be the simple pan con tomate. CEA recently organized a tapas workshop for us where we were able to cook some of the most traditional Spanish tapas like gazpacho, calamari and tortilla de patatas. I prepared the gazpacho, which is similar to a cold tomato soup and includes garlic, peppers, onions, a cucumber, olive oil, salt, and of course tomatoes. These items are blended together and served cold, making it a very refreshing item to sip.

Even though it may seem simple, the traditional pan con tomate that you can order at almost any restaurant here in Barcelona and that we cooked during the tapas workshop is still my favorite. You begin by toasting your fresh bread (which is so amazing here in Spain) and rubbing garlic and tomato on it. It seems simple, but because it is such a common item here and the bread and tomatoes are fresh, it tastes amazing.

This “bread with tomato” is sometimes also served with local ham or cheese and at restaurants, occasionally they will provide you with garlicky bread and tomatoes separately so that you can make your own. This would be a recipe that is easy to make at home to share with friends and family even after your study abroad experience!