
Artisanal Toasts
We’ve been talking “fresh” and “local” a lot lately. It’s that glorious time of year when local produce is everywhere: the grocery store, farmer’s markets, farm stands and, maybe, even in your backyard. Ceri and I are big fan’s of eating locally so this time of year means a bounty of fresh ingredients that we have so much fun jamming into our recipes. And by jamming I mean I walk into a store, want everything and then have to find a way to use it all before it goes South. Not that it’s hard. We’ve also been talking produce lately since we signed on to work with Metro Grocery Stores this summer to help get the word out about the bounty of local and fresh ingredients they have in stores this season. So it was your average no brainer that we’d marry the latest food trend of artisanal toasts with the abundance of fruits and veggies available during Summer.
The toast trend got its start on the US West Coast and was met with criticism by some since making toast is basically the easiest thing you can do in the kitchen, outside of boiling water. However, over here at SPC, we’re totally loving it. Not only is it super kid-friendly, toasts make a great breakfast or lunch. They’re also an easy way to impress guests when entertaining. You can make your toasts wee and have a variety available, and voila, you have a sinfully simple appetizer. Since the only heat source you need is a toaster, it really is the ideal summer hors d’ouevers. Plus, who doesn’t love finger foods?
Photo by Maya Visnyei
There is basically no limit to what you can toss on your toast and, obviously, switching up the bread makes it even more fun. I also like using leftovers on my toasts. For instance, part of half-used tomato from dinner the night before winds up on a slice of crunchy sourdough bread with some olive oil, sliced hard boiled egg, basil and a little sprinkle of salt as my lunch the next day. This easy meal is a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen too. Scarlett and I had fun coming up with ideas for this post. In fact, she was the originator of the blackberry version below. These are hardly recipes but here are a few of my family’s favourite toasts in heavy rotation in our home. I’m already thinking of my fall toasts. I see lots of pumpkin butter in my future. This may be a trend but I think it’s something I’ll be into way longer than any fad.
Tasty Toasts
Cinnamon raisin bread with peanut butter, slices of banana, drizzle of honey and sprinkled with coconut
Avocado mashed with lemon juice and salt, hard boiled egg slices, sprinkled with fresh basil and salt
Ricotta cheese mixed with lemon zest and honey, sliced strawberries and fresh mint
Other Great Ideas………
SAVORY
Pumperknickel bread, cream cheese, ribbon cucumber, finely sliced red onion and fresh dill
Sourdough bread rubbed with a glove of garlic, slice of tomato, fresh basil, drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of salt
Rye bread, spread of mayonnaise, smashed sweet peas with salt, crispy crumbled bacon and fresh chives
Sourdough bread with crumbled bleu cheese, slice green apple and a drizzle of honey
SWEET
Multigrain bread with mascarpone cheese, blackberries and garnished with mint
Brioche bread with mascarpone cheese, sliced strawberries and drizzled with balsamic vinegar
You might also like
Grilled Cheese with Garlic Apples
So Scarlett’s dad (my darling husband Dan) was suppose to write this post but, like taking out the garbage some mornings, he somehow skirted the task. It was something about
Shakshuka!
Ben is a photographer and this week he’s got a lot of dusk shoots to do. I can get pretty lazy about dinner when it’s just me and Esme eating.
Black Bean and Spinach Quesadillas
We’ve got lots of new recipes coming at you soon (like, later this week!) To tide you over I’m bringing back an oldie but goodie. Laura and I are both
3 Comments
Bonnie
July 10, 12:45These all sound amazing!
Dana Rosenthal
July 11, 09:47Mascarpone cheese … blackberries and mint? That is so decadent and so delicious sounding.
Dana Rosenthal
ADE FRAIOLI
July 18, 19:52THOSE ARTISANAL TOASTS LOOK ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS.
YUM.