You’d think that a recipe for bread and butter and salt would be unnecessary. But I truly believe that one of life’s greatest eating pleasures consists of a loaf of wonderful crusty bread, sweet butter or olive oil, and salt. Those three components, eaten with your hands and shared among friends, truly is a sustaining combination. The country loaf from Tartine is pictured.

　　

Ingredients

serves you well

　　A loaf of good crusty bread

　　Unsalted butter from pasture-raised cows, barely cool or at room temperature

　　Plain ol’ kosher or a fancy kind of salt

　　

Step 1

Rip a hunk of bread off the loaf (use a knife if you must, but I swear it tastes better if you tear it). Smear the bread with some butter—be generous—and sprinkle with salt. Eat recklessly, and pay no attention to the inevitable crumbs (unless you want to eat them, which is even better).

　　

Step 2

If you like, gild the lily with boquerones (marinated Spanish anchovies) or thin-sliced dry-cured ham.

　　Bi-Rite Market's Eat Good Food