Typical Spanish Breakfast: Tostada con Tomate – Recipe Included

It’s funny really that in many coastal towns in Spain it seems easier to find a place serving a full English breakfast than a bar offering you a simple Spanish breakfast…

Because yes, what you have probably heard about Spain is true: the Spanish Costas have been taken over by foreigners!

Not only the British have chosen the Spanish coast as a perfect place for a second home, you will also find Dutch, German, Scandinavian and more recently Russian people of all ages hoping to find their happiness in Spain. Well, of all ages… Spain is definitely a popular place to retire.

Also Read: Retiring in Valencia, Spain – What it’s Really Like

So ok, foreigners moving to Spain and tourists spending their summer vacation in Spain have changed the country. Or at least parts of it.

At the same time, it’s not difficult to find towns where it feels like time has stood still, and cafés that offer exactly the same Spanish breakfast they have been for generations. And that’s where I like to go for my Spanish tostada.

It’s nice to find spots that still have an authentic Spanish feel to them, to enjoy a typical Spanish breakfast.

This morning for me this meant that instead of going to beautiful but touristy Moraira I went to Teulada (map).

Teulada is a town that may not seem as pretty at first sight and doesn’t have an amazing beach (it’s located a few kilometers inland), but it has a historic town center and typically Spanish cafés hidden in small streets. For me, it was the perfect spot to start my day with a simple Spanish breakfast: tostada con tomate.

Also Read: Things to Know Before Traveling to Spain

What is a Typical Spanish Breakfast?

It depends a bit on where you are in Spain, but generally speaking, a Spanish breakfast (desayuno) is a small, simple meal. It usually includes a cup of coffee and some form of bread—either sweet or savory.

Here on the Costa Blanca, but also in Valencia and in many other parts of Spain, Tostada con tomate (toast with tomato) is what you’ll see most Spaniards eat in the morning.

It’s simple but so tasty and I absolutely love it!

When you order this typical Spanish breakfast in a cafe you’ll receive a sliced, toasted baguette along with a little bowl of grated tomatoes, a bottle of olive oil, and some salt. You pour the olive oil on the toasted baguette, add a generous amount of the tomato, and then some salt to taste.

Or, sometimes, you will receive the bread with the grated tomato already on it. Simply add oil and salt, and enjoy!

Wash it down with a cafe con leche, a large coffee cup containing a small amount of strong espresso coffee with a lot of hot, frothy milk, and you are ready to start the day!

And the best thing about this breakfast? The tostada and the coffee together set me back just 3 Euros!

Do you want to make it a fancy Spanish breakfast? Then order some good quality queso manchego (manchego cheese) or jamon serrano (serrano ham) to add to your tostada and order a fresh orange juice to go with it.

Note: in some places, they call it pan con tomate, which means ‘bread with tomato’ instead of tostada con tomate, but you’ll get the same thing.

And, with only five simple ingredients (bread, tomato, olive oil, garlic, and salt) it’s easy to make at home as well.

Tostada con Tomate Recipe

Ingredients:

• A baguette or slices of your favorite (rustic) bread
• Ripe tomatoes – one medium size tomato is enough for 2 slices of bread
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and cut in half
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Wash the tomatoes and cut them in half. Grate the tomatoes using a box grater.
2. Toast the bread.
3. Rub the garlic on the toasted bread – you can use the same clove for 6 to 8 slices of toast.
4. Drizzle some olive oil on the toast.
5. Spoon the grated tomato onto the toast.
6. Add salt to taste.

Serve immediately and enjoy! Pan con tomate is best when the toast is still warm and the tomato freshly grated.

And if you love cooking Spanish food then also have a look at these recipes for easy to make Spanish food.

Spanish Tostadas – Final Thoughts

In Spanish, tostada simply means toast. Tostada con tomate is the most popular version, but when you’re in Spain you might find a list of various tostadas on the menu.

Tostada con aguacate (toast with avocado) has become popular in recent years, and if you find yourself in a more creative café you may have a wide range of options to put on your tostada.

Note that generally the Spanish tostada really is seen as a breakfast, or brunch, dish. Therefore some places might not serve their tostadas anymore once lunch starts.

Other Spanish Breakfast Staples

While tostada con tomate is the go-to breakfast in many parts of Spain, there are other Spanish breakfast staples worth trying, like churros con chocolate (fried dough with thick hot chocolate) or ensaimadas (a spiral-shaped sweet pastry).

But for me, nothing beats the simplicity and freshness of a tostada con tomate.

Want to Learn More About Spain?

Then check out my other articles about Spain

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.”
– James A. Michener

Also Read:

• What to Eat in Spain – Famous Spanish Food Worth Trying
• Street Food Recipes From Around the World – Including Spanish Churros
• Spanish Recipes That Are Easy to Make at Home