Avocado Toast for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
By Marci Lutsky
I use an app for keeping my grocery list called Grocery IQ. There are certain items that are on my list every week like bread, milk and eggs. Not a week goes by that I don’t also get at least four avocados at the grocery store. My daughter thinks that avocados should be part of every meal and I would have to agree with her. Avocado toast has become my go-to meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you think it’s a food trend that will pass soon, think again. It’s here to stay and even better than you can imagine.
My friend Shara calls me the avocado whisperer. Why? Because I manage to always choose the best avocados. When buying avocados, you have to consider when you will use them. If you want them for immediate consumption in the next day or so from purchase, you want to choose ones that are dark in color and somewhat soft to the touch. If they are too soft, chances are that they will be brown inside and will not be very flavorful. If you plan to eat them three or four days out, you want to go with ones on the greener side. Let them sit on the counter and within days, they should ripen to perfection. Occasionally I put ripe ones in the refrigerator if I need a few more days before using them.
If you think avocados are fattening, you are partly correct. Yes, they contain fat, but they have the healthy fats which are good for your heart. They are also high in fiber, vitamins C and E, potassium and recent studies have found them to improve cognition. Who wouldn’t want all that for nourishing their body?
Let’s discuss the basics of avocado toast. You obviously need a piece of bread, toasted. While regular sandwich bread works perfectly well, I also enjoy sliced sourdough. I usually use about a quarter to a half of an avocado per piece of toast. If ripened, the avocado will mash easily with a fork onto the piece of toast.
While some people reach for a bowl of cereal when they are too lazy for anything else, avocado toast is my go-to meal when I’m short on time but want something filling and healthy. There are countless variations on avocado toast. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it. In the morning if I need extra fuel for an activity, I will add a fried egg or poached egg to a piece along with Everything But the Bagel Seasoning from Trader Joe’s. One of the best combinations to try is honey and avocado. I keep my pantry stocked with Cape May Honey Farm honey and a little drizzle on top of my toast is absolute perfection. In the summer, I slice a variety of vegetables to top my toast with. Radishes and tomatoes are my absolute favorites. Top the vegetables with a sprinkle of sea salt and you will be amazed at how something so simple could be so good.
I use avocados for much more than just toast. Guacamole is an obvious favorite but I also love them in smoothies, salads and sliced on sandwiches. While I’m a fan of eating locally, I’m willing to make an exception for avocados which are mostly grown in California. Next time you are at the grocery store and see them on sale, add a few to your cart and give avocado toast a try!
Marci Lutsky is a food blogger at Vegging at the Shore, www.veggingattheshore.com and can be reached at veggingattheshore@gmail.com.
