This easy and delicious Catalan Toasts recipe is inspired by Nigella Lawson. It’s made with juicy tomatoes, garlic, and rustic sourdough bread for a simple yet flavorful appetizer or snack. Perfect for quick prep and a taste of the Mediterranean!
Ingredients Needed:
- 1 large very ripe tomato but not beefsteak (approx. 150g/6 ounces) de-seeded and very, very finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic (peeled and minced)
- 1 x 15ml tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- approx. 3 chunky slices of sourdough or other rustic bread (halved)
- Maldon sea salt flakes (to taste)
How To Make Catalan Toasts Recipe?
- Prepare the Tomato Mixture: Finely chop the tomato and place it on a chopping board. Mix in the minced garlic, mashing it with a fork. Transfer to a small bowl, add olive oil, and mix until soft and mushy. Let it rest, covered, so the tomato releases its juices.
- Toast the Bread: Toast the bread slices until golden and slightly charred on the edges.
- Assemble the Toasts: Spread a thin layer of the tomato mixture over the toasted bread, leaving some of the bread visible. Sprinkle with Maldon sea salt for flavor.
Recipe Tips:
- Use a Ripe Tomato: Choose a soft, very ripe tomato for the best flavor and juiciness. A firm or underripe tomato won’t give the same result.
- Finely Chop the Tomato: Make sure to chop the tomato very finely so it spreads easily on the toast. Large chunks won’t stick well to the bread.
- Let the Mixture Rest: After mixing the tomato, garlic, and olive oil, let it sit for a while. This helps the flavors blend and allows the tomato to release its juices, making the topping moist and flavorful.
- Toast the Bread Properly: Toast the bread until it’s crispy and slightly charred on the edges. A soft or lightly toasted bread may get soggy when topped with the tomato mixture.
- Add Salt Just Before Serving: Sprinkle the sea salt just before serving to keep the topping fresh and the bread crispy. Adding salt too early might make the tomato mixture too watery.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: First, let the leftover Catalan Toasts cool to room temperature. Then, store the tomato topping separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Heat a non-stick skillet over low heat, then place the toast in the skillet. Cover and warm for 2-3 minutes to gently reheat without making the bread too soft.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 80 kcal
- Total Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 120mg
- Potassium: 150mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 12g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 2g
Try More Nigella Lawson Recipes:
Nigella Catalan Toasts
Description
This easy and delicious Catalan Toasts recipe is inspired by Nigella Lawson. It’s made with juicy tomatoes, garlic, and rustic sourdough bread for a simple yet flavorful appetizer or snack. Perfect for quick prep and a taste of the Mediterranean!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the Tomato Mixture: Finely chop the tomato and place it on a chopping board. Mix in the minced garlic, mashing it with a fork. Transfer to a small bowl, add olive oil, and mix until soft and mushy. Let it rest, covered, so the tomato releases its juices.
- Toast the Bread: Toast the bread slices until golden and slightly charred on the edges.
- Assemble the Toasts: Spread a thin layer of the tomato mixture over the toasted bread, leaving some of the bread visible. Sprinkle with Maldon sea salt for flavor.
Notes
- Use a Ripe Tomato: Choose a soft, very ripe tomato for the best flavor and juiciness. A firm or underripe tomato won’t give the same result.
- Finely Chop the Tomato: Make sure to chop the tomato very finely so it spreads easily on the toast. Large chunks won’t stick well to the bread.
- Let the Mixture Rest: After mixing the tomato, garlic, and olive oil, let it sit for a while. This helps the flavors blend and allows the tomato to release its juices, making the topping moist and flavorful.
- Toast the Bread Properly: Toast the bread until it’s crispy and slightly charred on the edges. A soft or lightly toasted bread may get soggy when topped with the tomato mixture.
- Add Salt Just Before Serving: Sprinkle the sea salt just before serving to keep the topping fresh and the bread crispy. Adding salt too early might make the tomato mixture too watery.
Nigella Catalan Toasts