Avocado Toast

Description:

The origins of this dish are a bit contentious, with both the country of Australia and the state of California laying claim to having invented this dish. I personally will run with the claim that this dish was invented in the US, given that the first recipe for this dish was mentioned in a 1920 California newspaper clipping. Regardless of who popularized this dish, avocado toast is deeply associated with the state of California due to in part to abundance of avocados that grow in the state, as well as the Californian propensity for eating healthy, vegetable-based foods. This dish was popularized throughout the rest of the country in the 2010’s and can be found in many upscale breakfast establishments, cafes and coffee shops throughout the US.

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of crusty bread, ideally whole grain

• 1 ripe avocado

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp olive oil

• Salt

• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Preparation:

Toast bread. Add the avocado, lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl. Mash with a fork until the avocado resembles a paste. Taste and season with salt. Spread the avocado on top of the bread and optionally sprinkle with red pepper flakes.

Notes:

• A common variation of this dish is served with fried egg on top.