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two llescas Catalan loaded toasts above each other, one with spinach topping other with ham, cheese and mushrooms.
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5 from 5 votes

Llescas - Catalan loaded toasts

These tasty toasts are loaded with simple, tasty toppings. Try these two favorites, or use the ideas above for more variations.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Spanish (Catalan)
Servings: 2
Calories: 604kcal
Author: Caroline
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Ingredients

For spinach topping

  • ½ tablespoon olive oil approximately
  • ½ clove garlic or 2 if small
  • 5 oz spinach tough stems removed
  • 1 ½ tablespoon pine nuts
  • 2 tablespoon raisins
  • 3 tablespoon parmesan approximately, finely grated, optional

For ham & mushroom topping

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 6 oz mushrooms crimini/white as you have and prefer
  • 1 dash thyme optional
  • 2 oz cooked ham eg Black Forest, Virginia
  • 2 oz Swiss cheese or similar hard, slightly melty cheese

For rest of toasts

  • 4 slices bread large slices, ideally a relatively plain but dense artisan/country-style bread
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil approximately, or as needed, to drizzle

Instructions

  • Get everything ready before you start. For the spinach topping, roughly chop the spinach and slice the garlic. For the ham/mushroom topping, cut the mushrooms in half then slice fairly thinly. Cut the slices of ham into small squares, and slice then cut the cheese into similar sized square pieces. Cut the end off the garlic for the bread and peel back the skin.

For spinach topping

  • For the spinach topping, most of the olive oil in a medium-large skillet/frying pan over a medium heat. Add the spinach leaves, part at a time, and wilt them down, stirring and turning the mixture over so the wilted parts below go on top and weigh down the un-wilted spinach and help it cook. Add more as you get more space and keep turning to cook evenly. Remove the wilted spinach from the pan and set aside.
  • If needed, add a little extra oil to the skillet and add the pine nuts and garlic. If the pine nuts are small you can add together, otherwise give them a minute longer than the garlic. Cook for a couple minutes, stirring to turn as best you can, taking care that the pine nuts just gently brown and the garlic becomes fragrant but not really browned. Reduce the heat if needed.
  • Add the raisins, stir them through and cook briefly then add back the spinach. Mix well so everything is well distributed, and season with a little salt and pepper and if you like. Set aside (either remove from skillet, if re-using or leave if using another)

For ham/mushroom topping

  • Melt the butter in the skillet (can be same one) and cook the mushrooms until soft and any liquids they release largely evaporate, around 5 minutes. Add a little dried thyme, if you like. Remove from the heat and add the ham and cheese and mix through.

To make toasts

  • Toast the bread lightly on both sides then rub one side with the garlic and drizzle on a small amount of olive oil. Leave this side up to put toppings on. Warm the broiler/overhead grill.
  • Divide the spinach mixture between two slices, and the ham/mushroom topping between the other two. Top the spinach slices with the parmesan then place all slices under the broiler for a minute or two to melt the cheese.

Notes

Quantities above make 2 slices of each topping, together 2 generous servings. Multiply up for the number of people you have.

Nutrition

Calories: 604kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 932mg | Potassium: 1037mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 7145IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 501mg | Iron: 6mg
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