Who would have thought a 'toilet seat' could be so delicious? Well this one is! I came across it first in my favourite bar - Ibiza, in the local town of Chirivel. There with my friends having cold beer and tapas, we wanted something a little more substantial to soak up the beer and the waitress suggested this. As a matter of note, I live in one of the last areas where tapas are given out free with every beer you buy. How they make any money when 1.25 Euros buys you an ice cold beer and some food, and what food. I'm not complaining just happy to receive!
The tomato sauce recipe used can be found by clicking here. I decided to split the two to enable every step to be covered fully without one post being too long. Plus tomato sauce can be used for so many other things it will stand as a post in its own right. So lets get started on 'Roca'.
This sharing dish is ample for four hungry people, dependent on the size of bread used. In Spain they have this large round donut shaped bread ring, specifically made for this dish. It just shows how popular Roca is. However, any large flat bread loaf will do.
Slice through the centre to make two discs.
Using the prepared tomato sauce (50:50 onion/tomato mix), spread over both cut surfaces as thickly as you want.
Get some thinly sliced Iberian cured ham, or any cured ham like prosciutto.
Put a layer over the tomato sauce, all around the ring.
Then cheese slices. Believe it or not, the cheap sandwich slice cheese works very well as it melts slightly but still holds its shape. Any cheese thinly sliced will do.
Place the top back on.
Put into a hot oven on a baking tray. Allow to heat through and crisp up the bread.
Cut the ring through into as many pieces as you want and place into the centre of the table with napkins, for everyone to share.......uuuuuum, delicious!
How simple is that?
In Spain they use different cooked meats as well as cured ham; cooked bacon, pork, chicken, even sausages sliced through lengthwise - chorizo is especially good. You can choose your 'poison'! However, my favourite is Iberian cured ham. Such a simple dish and soooo good.
Watch the chilies though!
Unless you have blocked sinuses!
Until next time, adios Amigos
Not from Sunny Spain this image, from a beautiful estuary in South Devon, England; but my Bedlington Terriers are so cute I thought I would share them with you! X