Roasted Garlic, Tomato
Spanish Ham Tapas

Elevate your appetizer spread with these rustic tapas featuring sweet roasted garlic, creamy yogurt cheese, and savory Spanish ham over perfectly toasted baguette slices.

Ingredients

• 1 whole garlic bulb
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup cherry and yellow tomatoes
• 1 artisan baguette
• 1 cup fresh arugula
• 1/2 cup creamy yogurt cheese
• 4-6 slices Spanish ham
• to taste grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. 1Slice the garlic bulb

   

   Place a whole bulb of garlic on a wooden cutting board and use a chefs knife to slice off the top portion, exposing the individual garlic cloves inside.

   Tip: Cut just enough off the top to expose the tips of all the cloves without falling apart.
2. 2Season and wrap the garlic

   

   Drizzle olive oil generously over the exposed cloves of the cut garlic bulb, then wrap the entire bulb tightly inside a sheet of aluminum foil to lock in moisture during baking.

   Tip: Ensure the foil is sealed tightly at the top so the garlic steams and softens effectively.
3. 3Bake the garlic and tomatoes

   

   Transfer the foil-wrapped garlic bundle and raw cherry tomatoes into a white ceramic baking dish, and place the dish inside a preheated oven to roast.

   Tip: Group them together securely in the baking dish for even heat distribution.
4. 4Slice and toast the baguette

   

   Slice a crusty artisan baguette into thick portions on a wooden cutting board, preparing them to be toasted alongside the baking dish in the oven.

   Tip: Cut uniform slices so they toast evenly and hold the garlic spread well.
5. 5Extract and mash the roasted garlic

   

   Remove the roasted garlic from the oven and unwrap the foil, then gently squeeze the soft cloves out of their papery skins into a small white bowl and mash them into a smooth paste using a fork.

   Tip: The cloves should be fully tender and slide out effortlessly from their skins.
6. 6Spread roasted garlic paste

   

   Take the toasted baguette slices and use a fork to evenly spread the freshly mashed roasted garlic paste across the surface of each piece.

   Tip: Spread the paste while the bread is still warm so the flavors absorb deeply.
7. 7Add fresh arugula

   

   Take a generous handful of fresh, washed arugula leaves and place them evenly on top of each garlic-smeared baguette slice, creating a vibrant green base for the toppings.

   Tip: Ensure the bread is completely cooled or toasted fresh so the arugula doesnt wilt too quickly before serving.
8. 8Spread Creamy Yogurt Cheese

   

   Using a spoon or spatula, dollop and spread a thick layer of creamy yogurt cheese directly over the bed of arugula on each baguette piece.

   Tip: Keep the cheese chilled so it holds its shape nicely when spreading over the greens.
9. 9Add Folded Spanish Ham

   

   Gently pick up slices of Spanish ham with clean kitchen tongs, fold them loosely into attractive ribbons, and arrange them neatly over the yogurt cheese layer.

   Tip: Folding the ham creates dimension and texture on the tapas rather than laying it flat.
10. 10Top with Roasted Tomatoes

    

    Carefully pick up roasted cherry and yellow tomatoes using tongs and place them strategically on top of the folded Spanish ham layers.

    Tip: Handle the roasted tomatoes gently to keep them intact and prevent them from bursting prematurely.

Make Ahead & Storage

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions