Jun212019

6 Gourmet Toast Upgrades

6 Gourmet Toast recipes to upgrade your toast! Taking you beyond smashed avocado toast! From meat lovers to vegetarian, healthy to dessert, these recipes are what you need in your life…and in your belly!

So can I ask a stupid question guys? When did toast become a thing? I mean the fact that I actually titled this Gourmet Toast seems well, kind of silly but if you look at the recipes you can see they are not your standard butter/jelly toasts. The fact that we’re now writing recipes on how to make toast is funny but also, kind of awesome in the same token.

Gourmet toast recipes mean that we’re evolving as foodies. We are more willing to try new, different and get out of that pb&j comfort zone. But don’t get me wrong, pb&j toast with a glass of milk rocks!

Talkin’ Toast

So toast became a thing when avocados became the biggest thing to hit the foodie scene since microwave popcorn. Now granted avocados have been around for a bajillion years BUT they weren’t always readily available and most folks simply didn’t buy them. They were the fugly green veggie (though technically they are a fruit and more known as a seeded berry). I’ve been eating smashed avocado toast for decades (as she just ages herself) but it’s true. Just simple avocado smash, salt, pepper, cilantro and lime if I have it. Top it with some sriracha and I’ll eat it every day for a month. But then folks started to play with basic avocado toast… elevate it if you will.

Then we saw the rose avocado toast, everything avo toast, this, that and the other avo toast. For me, my Pinterest and IG feed got so over populated with avocado toast that it was a turn off. It’s like Pumpkin Spice or Red Velvet. Enough with it, please.

6 Gourmet Toasts

Since I was doing a gourmet toast post, I had to include 2 avocado versions but then I decided to go buck-wild and give you some non-avo versions. 2 are made with Hummus and 2 with whipped ricotta. I’ve made this exact setup for both a party and brunch where all I had to do was vary the size of the bread. The toppings though- folks went nuts over them.

Hummus Toast

I’m a HUGE hummus lover. Give me a tub of hummus, some pita bread/crackers/veggies and I’ll be happy for hours. Did you know I have an awesome hummus recipe on the blog? I, personally, love making it from scratch as that way I get to control what I put in however there are some commercial ones you buy in the store that are awesome. Just be sure to use plain hummus and not flavored (unless you adjust your toppings to match or accent the flavors).

I kept the hummus ones vegetarian because I wanted to make sure my fellow vegetarians could eat it. We have both a Veggie Curls Hummus Toast and a Mediterranean Hummus Toast

Veggie Curls Toast – Toasted bread topped with plain hummus, plain Greek yogurt, thinly shaved zucchini, carrots and squash, herbs and a drizzle of olive oil
Mediterranean Toast – Toasted bread topped with plain hummus , crumbled feta, pomegranate ariels, pepitas, evoo drizzle and fresh mint

Sounds amazing, right?

Smashed Avocado Toast

I mean I had to include an avo toast. I went with simple ‘breakfast’ type avo toast with my BAE Toast and then more of an appetizer/brunch recipe with my Caprese Toast.

BAE Toast – Crispy bacon, avocado smash, hard boiled egg (though you could totally go with a jellied egg) finished with a sweet heat drizzle
Caprese Toast – Italian herbed avocado smash with bocconcini cheese (mini fresh mozzarella), halved grape tomatoes, seasonings, micro basil and a drizzle of olive oil

Whipped Ricotta Toast

Ricotta cheese is something I always have in my house. It’s such a versatile ingredient and one that is used so perfectly in these recipes. I wanted to offer a dessert type sweet toast so that’s where my Berry Breakfast Toast comes into play. Who said toast can’t be dessert?! And rounding out this 6-Gourmet Toast recipe is my Italian Delight Toast. Trust me, this is a hearty toast that is a meal unto itself.

Berry Breakfast Toast – A sweetened whipped ricotta with fresh berries, mint and a honey drizzle
Italian Delight Toast – Whipped ricotta, julienne carrot, roasted asparagus tops, artichoke hearts, salumi (or can use salami), pesto and julienne basil

Looks pretty tasty, huh? Seriously these toasts are so amazing that I honestly can’t pick a favorite! And neither could my guests. If you want to serve these for a party, make them on smaller bread/toast. These can be served room temperature either already pre-made on a platter for serving or set up a Toast Bar.

What I want to see you guys doing this weekend is making these toasts and posting your gorgeous images on social media tagging me! I want to see your deliciousness! You know full well I’ll be making these for us as we can’t get enough of these toasts!