If there is one takeaway from the avocado toast craze, it's that toasted bread with toppings makes a quick, easy and delicious meal. No avocado, no problem! There are many other tasty toasts you can whip up with what you have on hand. Feel free to substitute and get creative; just about anything can have a second savory life on toast. Read on for five of my favorite toast recipes for a healthy meal in under 10 minutes.
It’s all about the bread, as Prue Leith from the Great British Baking Show will tell you in her new book Bliss on Toast. Make sure you start with quality bread: sourdough, french, rye or whole wheat in a loaf, baguette or ciabatta form. I like to generously toast the bread before loading it up with fixings. A toaster oven works wonders, but if you don’t have one, you can toast under the broiler or in a conventional toaster.
Two slices of West Coast toast from above on bright green background.
West Coast Toast
Toast also makes an excellent base for leafy greens. Start this recipe with a hearty sourdough. Sprinkle a little hot sauce on the bread, and cover with your favorite cheese; I recommend pepper jack for an extra kick, but cheddar or Monterey Jack will work well, too. Place the cheesy bread in a toaster oven or under the broiler until the cheese melts; remove from heat, then layer your greens on top. Arugula offers a peppery undertone, but any type of lettuce will provide a contrasting cooling effect to the spicy, cheesy bread. Surf’s up!
Three slices of salmon filled slices of East Coast toast overhead
East Coast Toast
Get a taste of New York with this recipe. I recommend starting with a flavorful rye bread, toasted until golden. Next, smear with cream cheese and layer on thin-sliced smoked salmon. Finally, sprinkle with capers and squeeze fresh lemon juice to top it off. So good.
Two slices of Tomato Toast from overhead on a green background
Tomato Toast
The Catalans have enjoyed toast as a mainstay and have many delicious variations to share. In Barcelona, a signature appetizer is Pa Amb Tomàquet or Tomato Bread. To recreate the traditional Catalan recipe, start by toasting your bread; classic French bread works well. Then gently rub the toasted surface with a clove of garlic; once all the nooks and crannies are covered, slice a tomato in half and rub the garlic toast with the cut side to smear the tomato pulp all over and soften the top layer of bread. Finally, drizzle olive oil over the top and sprinkle lightly with salt. Tomato bread is simple and can be enjoyed anytime as a meal or a healthy appetizer. Olé!