Pa amb Oli

Pa amb oli means "bread with olive oil" in Majorcan, and it is as commonly eaten in the Balearic Islands as pa amb tomàquet is in Catalonia. But while the Majorcan usually add the tomato to their bread and then the olive oil, most Catalans do the reverse. Both preparations can be served as breakfast, as a snack at any time, or as an accompaniment to lunch or dinner. As with pa amb tomàquet, this recipe can be embellished with a topping of jamón serrano, anchovies, or cheese.

• Serves 6
• Preparation time: 5 minutes

Pa amb Oli

Ingredients

• 6 (3/4-inch thick) slices dark rye bread
• 1 clove garlic, halved (optional)
• 3 tomatoes, halved crosswise
• Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
• Salt

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Place the bread slices on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and immediately rub 1 side of each slice with a cut side of the garlic, if desired.

Then rub the same side of each slice with the cut side of a tomato half, pressing a little to squeeze some of the pulp and seeds onto the bread. Drizzle olive oil over the tomato and sprinkle with salt. Serve while the bread is still warm and crisp.

See also...

Sobrassada is a typical sausage from Majorca

Balearic Islands: The gastronomy from Majorca, Menorca, Eivissa·Ibiza and Formentera is comprised of many delectable and pleasurable dishes. The cuisine takes full advantage of the islands' resources and the many cultures which have passed through the archipelago over the years have left their mark: many different civilisations (Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, French, English...).