It’s hard to improve on the already delicious pan con tomate, the Spanish classic of bread rubbed with fresh tomatoes and olive oil. But Dara Pollak, of the blog The Skinny Pig, has a few ideas: Turn it into a sheet-pan snack, then top it with mozzarella cheese that gets baked until bubbly. Easiest appetizer ever? It’s definitely up there.
recipes
Pan Con Tomate and Mozzarella Bake
Dara Pollack
Ingredients
1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
½ baguette, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
4 or 5 garlic cloves, peeled, left whole or smashed slightly
Olive oil, as needed
½ teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Half a ball of fresh mozzarella, torn into bite-size pieces
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spread the halved tomatoes on an unlined baking sheet, then add the baguette slices and garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and season with the salt and pepper. Toss everything together, making sure that the garlic and tomatoes mingle with the bread and it soaks up any juices.
2. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake until the bread is crisp and the tomatoes start to shrivel, 12 to 15 minutes.