Grated Tomatoes with Olive Oil are something I had for the first time in Spain. It's a Spanish breakfast -- and, it's also a fabulous appetizer or tomato sauce. Summer tomatoes are worth celebrating and this might just be the best way to do it.
On one of my trips to Spain, visiting my Spanish sister Pilar, her brother Rafael made a breakfast I will never forget. It couldn't have been more simple, or more delicious.
In Spain it's called "Tomate con Pan," which translates to Tomato with Bread.
Ingredients You Will Need
This is so pure . . .
- tomatoes - Color and feel are the best cues to ripeness. Ripe tomatoes should be slightly firm, but have a little give when gently squeezed, and they should have a deep red color (or whatever the color is intended to be).
- salt - I almost always bake and cook with Kosher salt. (It’s coarse and salts foods in a subtle way that enhances their flavor without making them taste salty.)
- black pepper - Freshly ground is best.
- extra virgin olive oil - This one is my favorite.
Oh, and bread too, as a vehicle to eat it.
How to Grate Tomatoes and Make this Recipe
- Hold the tomato carefully and place it on the coarse holes of a box grater. Do this over a bowl or on a cutting board.
- Grate until you remove as much of the pulp as possible, but stopping well before you are too close to your fingers! (You can finely chop the rest.)
- If you haven't grated the tomato into a bowl, use a flat-bottomed metal spatula to scoop it into one. Then add a bit of coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Give it a quick drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and serve with a rustic loaf of bread -- just pull off pieces and dip them in.
Can you use a food processor?
Yes you can. That said, I think part of joy of this is grating the tomatoes one at a time, at the table, while you're eating. This is easy for just a few people, but the food processor will definitely help for a big crowd.
More Serving Suggestions
- Not only are grated tomatoes a Spanish breakfast, they also make for a delightful summer appetizer or a raw grated tomato sauce .
- Spread it on toasted baguette slices and top them with avocado slices. Tomato toast! It's sort of the reverse of my avocado toast.
- Serve it over or with chicken or fish.
- Add it to a sandwich.
During the summer, this is one tastiest breakfasts or snacks imaginable. And its simplicity is part of its beauty.
The key to this being amazing, is of course to start with an absolutely wonderful tomato -- right off the vine if possible! Summer is the best time to make it!
Enjoy!
More tomato recipes:
- Tomato Confit with Rosemary
- Tomato Onion Salad with Balsamic Vinegar
- Tomato Preserves Recipe with Serranos
Grated Tomatoes with Olive Oil
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large tomatoes (about ½-pound each), washed and dried
- pinch salt
- pinch freshly grated black pepper
- drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 small to medium-sized baguette
Instructions
- Grate the tomatoes and add the pulp to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Serve immediately with a baguette.
Notes
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Dorothy at ShockinglyDelicious
This is just magnificent! I would love it. I will try it. I'm sure the bread was leftover from the previous day, a bit stale, and perfect for this purpose.
valentina
Thanks, Dorothy! And thank you for sharing on your FB page! 😀 Lovely to see you on Sunday!
barbara
I love tomatoes. I have even done something like this with canned tomatoes and cheese - oh so good. But you can bet I will fix this . right now. Thank you B
valentina
Thank you Barbara! I hope you love it!
Quyen - KitchenRunway
So simple yet so delicious. It's amazing how beautiful summer produce just speak for themselves. Start with amazing ingredients and you'll have amazing results with very little fuss. Thank you for sharing! Wish I was in Spain again...
valentina
Quyen, I wish I was in Spain, too! Thanks!
Colette
I know one li'l girl who'd love tomatoes for breakie!
valentina
Colette -- I hope your breakfast was delicious!
sippitysup
Yes. Simple perfection. GREG
Amee
tomatoes and bread. most cultures have discovered what a perfect marriage these two are...
We went to spain a few years ago and this was by far our favorite breakfast...and the olive oil...i just could not get enough...
Mandy
Oh my yes! That looks simply amazing.
valentina
It is! Thanks, Mandy. xo
Christina
Never grated a tomato, but I love this idea. It's like a simple, grated caprese (sans cheese and basil!) Delicious!
kenny
This is a fantastic! I'm showing my friends!
angiesrecipes
This is absolutely wonderful for any meal!
valentina
Thank you, Angie! I love it. 🙂 ~Valentina
2pots2cook
Would gladly have it right now. And a glass of red wine 🙂
valentina
Perfect! I love it. 🙂 Thanks!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
It's recipes like this that make me so excited it's summer! Love all the beautiful produce that's around and this looks like such a delicious way to use it! A trip to Spain in every bite 😉 Yum!! Have a lovely week, my friend!
valentina
Gracias, Dawn. 😉 Enjoy the summer tomatoes. Cheers! ~Valentina
David @ Spiced
Tomato with bread? That totally doesn't do this recipe justice! It sounds so basic and boring...but this recipe looks anything but boring. I love European breakfasts! (I mean I love American breakfasts, too, but there is something special about tomatoes and cheeses and assorted breads for breakfast.) Either way, this sounds like a fun recipe for sure!
Kelly | Foodtasia
Valentina, what a wonderful breakfast! The tomatoes look so delicious and I love how they're grated. So irresistible with a garden fresh tomato!
valentina
Thanks, Kelly. Hope you try it over the summer. 🙂 ~Valentina
John / Kitchen Riffs
This looks incredible. Bet the flavor of this is wonderful. Easiest recipe ever, too. Thanks!
valentina
Thank you. Hope you try and enjoy! 🙂 Happy summer! ~Valentina
Liz
What a delicious way to shake up my avocado toast! Now I cannot wait for my garden tomatoes to ripen!
valentina
So great you have a garden. It's hit or miss for me depending on how busy life gets. This year all we have are herbs. Next year tomatoes! 🙂 Thanks for visiting. ~Valentina
Deb|EastofEdenCooking
Fabulous! It's almost tomato glut season here along the coast. I can hardly wait for too many tomatoes. It's one of the best parts of summer.
valentina
Love, love tomato season. Really, summer fruit season is the best! 🙂 Thanks. ~Valentina
Christina Conte
Definitely one of my favorite tapas when I'm in Spain! You just can't beat simple recipes using the best quality ingredients!
valentina
Agreed! 😀 Thanks, Christina.
David Scott Allen
I started grating tomatoes in the past year or two - and my method leaves the skin but grates all else. There is something about grated tomatoes that is so much better than blitzing them in the food processor. Makes the best sauce! Never thought about them for breakfast, but I will now!
David Scott Allen
It’s funny, when I wrote my comment three years ago, I had no idea that grated tomatoes were a big Spanish thing. Now that I’m getting ready to go to Spain, I have been grating tomatoes onto bread at least twice a week! I forgotten about this post, and like the idea of grating them and dipping the bread.
Cathy
I love tomato season and this recipe is the perfect way to celebrate it.
valentina
Thank you, Cathy! 😀
Mimi
My cherry tomatoes have ripened, but I’m still waiting on my larger varieties! It’s the only reason I stay here where I live for the summer. That and basil! Not that I have a place to go, but it’s hot hot hot here! Anyway, love your recipe.
valentina
Mimi, thank you. So great you can grow all of that deliciousness! The silver lining of the hot weather. Enjoy and hope your summer is lovely. ~Valentina