Catalan Tomato and Anchovy Tapas with Rustic Bread
A traditional Catalan tapa featuring crushed ripe tomatoes and anchovies drizzled with olive oil, served on toasted rustic bread slices. This spanish-inspired snacks (mediterranean) ready in about 20 minutes turns medium ripe plum tomatoes, fillets anchovy fillets in oil, extra virgin olive oil into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 medium ripe plum tomatoes
- 8 fillets anchovy fillets in oil
- 1 baguette, sliced into 12 pieces rustic country bread
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2, halved garlic cloves
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 4 leaves, torn fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange 12 slices of rustic country bread on a baking sheet and toast for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Step 2: While bread toasts, finely grate or crush 4 ripe plum tomatoes into a bowl. Stir in 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- Step 3: Remove toasted bread from oven, rub each slice with the cut side of 2 halved garlic cloves for a subtle garlic flavor.
- Step 4: Spoon the crushed tomato mixture generously over each bread slice.
- Step 5: Top each slice with a small anchovy fillet, then drizzle 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil evenly over all.
- Step 6: Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves and serve immediately as a bright, savory appetizer.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Catalan Tomato and Anchovy Tapas with Rustic Bread take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Catalan Tomato and Anchovy Tapas with Rustic Bread?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Catalan Tomato and Anchovy Tapas with Rustic Bread?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Catalan Tomato and Anchovy Tapas with Rustic Bread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Catalan Tomato and Anchovy Tapas with Rustic Bread?
Spanish snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
