Avocado on Garlic Rubbed Toast
An acquaintance of mine who grew up in San Diego once told me she had an avocado tree in her childhood backyard, but she didn’t like avocados at the time and never ate them. I almost cried at the thought. I adore avocados. If I could grow an avocado tree in my backyard I would eat them five times a day. They are by far and away my very favorite vegetable (well, technically they are fruit). I often eat them with a spoon, but lately I’ve been topping a platform of garlic rubbed toast with avocado for lunch. I first had avocado served this way at a little cafe (whose name escapes me) in Oakland. It is crazy good, and super fast and easy. Because this dish is so simple use your best olive oil and salt as their flavors will really shine through.
Avocado on Garlic Rubbed Toast
Serves 1
2 1-inch thick slices of good bread
1 clove garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large avocado
1/2 lemon
Maldon sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
Instructions:
Toast the bread until it is golden brown. Firmly rub the garlic over the top of each piece of toast (you should be left with just a nub of garlic by the time you’re done). Drizzle each piece of toast with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Gently peel away the skin. Place each half of the avocado cut side down on a cutting board and slice very thinly. Place 1/2 avocado on each piece of toast and fan the slices out slightly. Squeeze a generous amount of lemon juice over each toast, top with Maldon sea salt (or kosher salt if you don’t have Maldon) and plenty of freshly ground pepper.
Hi Willi – here’s another avocado/toast combo you might also enjoy: buttered toast topped with sliced avocado, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with salt and cracked black pepper. I love the sweet/savory/spicy combo!
April 27th, 2012 at 12:02 pmKendall–That sounds amazing! I know what I’m having for lunch tomorrow
April 27th, 2012 at 4:16 pmThat is so funny. I used to hate them too. But now salad is not salad to me without one in it. I am eating them mashed into an English muffin for breakfast these days, but I think a sturdier bread would make for a great lunch!
April 28th, 2012 at 8:26 amYummy! I can’t wait to have this for lunch soon!!! Rather than peeling an avocado, here’s any easier way to separate the flesh from the skin: cut avo in half, slice avo only through the flesh, scoop-out flesh with a spoon. Easy!
April 29th, 2012 at 6:05 pmI’m doing this for lunch tomorrow…. Such a great idea!
I do a similar thing where I top a garlic toast with a poached egg and tomatoes and proscuitto. However, I only rub slightly the garlic or I find the flavor too pronouced. Will try it with the avocado!
Thanks for the idea!
May 1st, 2012 at 2:15 pmThat looks delicious, but I will have to wait until my husband is out for a night- he really hates garlic.
May 2nd, 2012 at 12:34 pmI love avacados to! I will have to try this. I just found a yummy sandwich idea. Mash a large avacado with chickpeas, cilantro, lime juice and some salt and pepper, put it on some bread with a bed of spinach. Yum!
May 2nd, 2012 at 7:51 pmMy friend Megan introduced me to avocado toast, which at her house includes hot sauce – so good! Thanks for the ideas!
May 3rd, 2012 at 8:26 pmI love the recommendations you give for seeds and vendors. I spent time combing your book and blog for a list. I am behind on planting seeds and was hoping you have a ”Willi Recommends” secton I haven’t found?
May 6th, 2012 at 8:47 amYou’re so right…avocado on toast is heavenly! Growing up in Vermont I never knew avocados, but when I moved to San Diego area I met an avocado farmer and married him! Our four children grew up with avocado on toast! Now we offer subscriptions to our premium fruit for folks who need a consistent supply of yummy avocados delivered direct to their door.
Can’t wait to try rubbing garlic on the toast! Depending on the time of the year, I think I’ll leave off the oil, since avocados are already full of healthy oil. Or does the olive oil help enhance the garlic flavor?
Thanks for the great idea!
May 8th, 2012 at 7:48 amThis looks amazing. Can’t wait to try it!
May 8th, 2012 at 12:01 pmOh YUM. This is one of those recipes where the ingredients have to be top notch – but what simple deliciousness! Will try this soon.
May 14th, 2012 at 2:13 pmMmmmm Yum !!!
Here’s another great avocado recipe. Get an Avocado and cut it in half. Remove stone and add paul newmans light balsamic vinegarette to fill each hole where the stone was. Then dig in with a teaspoon.
You seriously will not believe how good these taste. It’s a perfect match.
June 12th, 2012 at 7:57 pm