Rustic Garlic & Lard Toasts (Cesnakové Hrianky)
Details
This is Slovakia in a bite—a beloved, rustic snack perfect for a cozy evening, a quick bite with beer, or a simple starter. Born from a need to use up day-old bread, these pan-fried toasts are rubbed raw with fiery garlic and traditionally slathered with rich pork lard. It's a classic taste of the Slovak countryside, delivering a powerful punch of garlic flavor that will warm you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare the Bread
Slice your bread into thick pieces if it's not already sliced.
Fry the Toasts
In a large skillet or pan, melt the pork lard (or heat the oil) over medium-high heat. Place the bread slices in the hot fat and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and crispy.
Rub with Garlic
As soon as you remove the toasts from the pan, while they are still hot, take a whole peeled garlic clove and rub it vigorously over the entire surface of one side of each toast. The heat and rough texture of the toast will grate the garlic, releasing its potent oils and aroma. Use a new clove as needed when the old one wears down.
Season and Serve
Sprinkle the garlic-rubbed toasts with a pinch of coarse salt. For a traditional finish, you can add an extra thin layer of lard on top. Serve immediately, garnished with thinly sliced raw onion if desired.
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