I can't wait for brunch. All week long I daydream about the eggs, french toast, ripe fruit, mimosas, and all the other goodies that come with this weekend-only treat. If I'm lucky, it'll be one of those unforgettable brunches that give me an entire day of complete contentment - like that time I discovered avocado toast.
Alejandro and I first encountered avocado toast at St. Helen's, a brunch spot in Williamsburgh, Brooklyn. We were so enamored with this glistening menu gem, that despite the snarls from the uber-hipster waitstaff, week after week, we still went back for more. It amazes me how much bad service I'll put up with for great food. But alas, like many other trendier-than-thou Williamsburgh hot spots, St. Helen's closed their doors.
This dish reminds me of how lucky I am to live in Berkeley, where heaps of black and green avocados are piled high at every corner market. And better yet, they are all far less than the $2 a pop I was paying in Brooklyn. In fact, pretty much all the produce is much less expensive on this side of the US.
So if you need a little something extra to help get you through the coming week, keep this recipe on your fridge and count the days until brunch.
Ingredients for Avocado Toast with Smoked Salmon
2 ripe avocados
Juice from one lemon
Wild smoked salmon, cut into chunks
One loaf of ciabatta or Italian bread
Cumin
Olive Oil
Sat and Pepper
First the Bread
Preheat the oven to 350F. Cut up the loaf into thick slices, and place on foiled baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes. Next, take the bread out and switch the oven to broil. Brush olive oil on the slices of bread, and broil until golden - about 2 minutes.
Then the Avocados
Empty the avocados into a mortar, and add lemon juice, salt, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a couple pinches of cumin. Mash together with the pestle until almost smooth.
Almost Done
Top each slice of bread with the avocado mixture, some smoked salmon, and another pinch of cumin.
A Few Tips:
- Baking and broiling the bread gives it both crunch and color. Don't skip either step.
- Use your expensive olive oil for the avocado mixture - it'll be worth it.
Where I Shopped:
Smoked Salmon: Ver Brugge, College Ave. Rockridge
Avocados: Monterey Market, Berkeley
Ciabatta Bread: La Farina Bakery, Rockridge
