Each year as students head back to school, I find myself thinking about my own back to school memories. Some of the memories that stick out the most are the dreaded early morning wake-up calls and the bus and carpool rides that were always accompanied by a paper towel wrapped slice of toast. Toast has come a long way since then. What was then an easy, quick, convenient breakfast has been elevated to a restaurant brunch staple. The toppings have changed, and probably for the better, but toast, no matter how you top it, still makes a great easy breakfast for those early mornings headed back to school or to work.
In middle school, I rode in a carpool with a few other kids in the neighborhood. We were one of the first stops on an hour-long bus route, so instead of waking up in the wee hours of the morning, the neighborhood parents decided to split the driving. Even with the carpool, we still had to get up earlier than middle school me would have liked, and I never got ready early enough to eat breakfast at home. In order to eke out the most sleep I possibly could, I had our routine down to a science.
While my mom was getting ready for work, I would roll out of bead and head down to the kitchen, start the hot water kettle, and throw a few slices of bread into the toaster. While the water was boiling and the bread was toasting, I prepared two paper towels, placed a Tazo chai tea bag in my mom’s prefered travel mug, and got the knife, peanut butter or butter and cinnamon sugar ready to spread on the toast. By the time my mom got downstairs, we were ready to rush out the door, each clutching our breakfast toasts in one hand, a violin in my other, and a travel mug in hers. Down to a science. These toasts are a little fancier than we were in those days, but that just makes them perfect for breakfast or brunch.
It almost feels wrong to provide a recipe for toast toppings. At the same time, it can be so easy to fall into the easy and typical options, that you forget to stretch your creativity and try something new. There are so many great topping options that determining what toppings pair well together after you break out of your normal mold can be overwhelming. Let’s start with these four toast topping options. Whether you are running out the door or sitting down with friends, try these variations and create your own new ones.
Toast Toppings, Four Ways
Each recipe is for one slice of toast. All are easily multiplied.
Strawberry, Basil, Goat Cheese
1 slice of good bread (maybe a fresh sourdough or seedy variety)
3-4 strawberries, sliced
1 basil leaf, thinly sliced
¼ cup goat cheese, softened
Spread a slice of warm toast with goat cheese. Top with strawberries and basil.
Option: For a little extra sweetness you can add a drizzle of honey.
Butter/Ghee, Avocado, Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
1 slice of good bread (maybe a fresh sourdough or seedy variety)
Butter or ghee, to spread
½ avocado, sliced
Everything but the Bagel Seasoning, to top
Spread a slice of warm toast with butter or ghee. Top with the avocado, and sprinkle everything but the bagel seasoning to taste.
Option: Sprinkle feta on top or add a fried egg.
Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Sea Salt, Balsamic
1 slice of good bread (maybe a fresh sourdough or seedy variety)
2-4 ounces mozzarella
1 tomato, sliced or a handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
1-2 basil leaves, thinly sliced
Sea Salt, to top
Balsamic, to top
Top a slice of warm toast with cheese. Add the tomato slices and top with basil, a drizzle of balsamic, and sea salt, to taste.
Option: Switch up the cheese and try it with feta, goat cheese, or burrata.
Almond Butter, Apple, Honey, Thyme
1 slice of good bread (maybe a fresh sourdough or seedy variety)
Almond butter (or other nut butter), to spread
1/3 of an apple, thinly sliced
Honey, to top
A few sprigs of thyme, to top
Spread a slice of warm toast with almond butter. Top with the apple, a few thyme leaves, and a drizzle of honey.
Option: Top with pepitas or walnuts for a little extra nutty crunch.
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