I am torn about the fact that “Toasts” have become a thing in LA restaurants. On the one hand, I quite enjoy them. On the other hand, I think it’s absurd to pay $12-$15 for what really amounts to a dressed-up bit of something on a slice of bread, especially when that something is often as simple as cheese or avocado or an egg. I also think it’s a bit silly that “Toasts” are popping up like they’re something new, as though people haven’t been making sandwiches (open-faced and otherwise) forever. So I’ve decided to share a series of Guessipes for simple yet delicious toasts/sandwiches that I make at home. And I encourage you to experiment with some of your own. You can really put anything you like on a toasted slice of good bread, sprinkle with a bit of sauce or seasoning or jam, present nicely, and enjoy even more than you would in a restaurant because it hasn’t cost you $15!
Fried Egg Toast
- bread
- Pepperjack cheese
- egg
- Sriracha
Cover the bread with slices of cheese. Pop in the toaster oven until the cheese melts and the bread is golden. Fry an egg, place it on the cheesy toast, and artfully top with Sriracha. I like to keep the egg yolk runny and eat with a fork and knife. A basic bread is good for this one as there are plenty of flavors and sauciness.
Spicy Avocado Toast
- bread
- avocado
- olive oil
- red pepper flakes
Toast the bread. Cover with slices of avocado. Sprinkle with olive oil and red pepper flakes. I like to use a robust flavorful bread for this one, like garlic Parmesan.
Cheesy Scramble Sandwich
- bread
- ketchup
- mayo
- egg
- cheddar cheese
- salsa
Toast two slices of bread. Spread ketchup on one, mayo on the other. Scramble egg with lots of cheddar cheese and salsa. Stack as much cheesy scramble as you can between the bread, and prepare to get messy!
Fig Feta Toast
- bread
- figs, roughly chopped
- crumbled feta
- balsamic glaze
- sea salt
Toast a slice of bread. Top with fig and feta. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with sea salt.
Smoked Salmon Bagel
- bagel, sliced in half
- cottage cheese
- tomato, sliced and seasoned with salt and pepper
- pickles
- smoked salmon
Toast the bagel halves. Spread the bagel with cottage cheese. Add a layer of tomato slices, then a layer of your favorite pickles, then a layer of smoked salmon.
Sea Salt PB & H Toast
- bread
- butter
- peanut butter
- honey
- sea salt
Toast a slice of bread. Butter it. Then add a layer of peanut butter. Yes, butter AND peanut butter – trust me, it’s awesome. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with sea salt. It’s salty sweet buttery goodness.
Harissa Mayo Egg Toast
- bread
- harissa
- mayonnaise
- hard-boiled egg
- sea salt
Toast a slice of bread. This one is good with a flavorful bread like garlic Parmesan which is my fav. Mix together harissa and mayo and spread on the toast. Add slices of hard-boiled egg. Sprinkle with sea salt.
Fig Honey Yogurt Toast
- bread
- Greek yogurt
- figs, sliced
- honey
- sea salt
Toast a slice of bread. Spread the bread with Greek yogurt. Top with fig slices. Drizzle honey on top and sprinkle with sea salt.
Creamy Feta Avocado Toast
- bread
- Bulgarian feta
- avocado
- garlic powder
- sea salt
Toast a slice of bread. Spread the bread with Bulgarian feta, which is creamier than the hard Greek feta most people are familiar with. Top with avocado slices. Sprinkle with garlic powder and sea salt.
Brie Grilled Cheese with Preserves and Caramelized Shallots
- bread
- Brie
- caramelized shallots
- fruit preserves
Caramelize shallots in bacon fat. Remove shallots from pan, leaving remaining bacon grease. Place a slice of bread in the pan. Layer with Brie, caramelized shallots, and a fruit preserve of your choice. Use another slice of bread to sop up the rest of the bacon grease in the pan, then layer that bread on top (greased side up). Cook over medium-low heat until the first side is golden brown, then flip over and cook until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is melty.
Peach Goat Cheese Brioche Toast
- brioche bread
- goat cheese
- honey
- peach, peeled and sliced
- balsamic
Toast a slice of brioche bread. Spread a layer of goat cheese. Drizzle with honey. Top with peach slices. Drizzle with balsamic.
