Over the last several years, there’s been an explosion in the culinary scene with “artisanal toast,” ascending from a plain slice of bread served at breakfast to a blank canvas for the culinary arts.

Not only is this transformation done to the toast itself, but the creativity and thought that goes into each layer to convert a simple piece of bread into a gourmet experience.

The rise of artisanal toast reflects much more than a piece of crunchy bread with toppings, but overall, one of the trends reflecting quality products, craftsmanship, and the joys of simple pleasures redefining what we think is a delicacy.

Let’s uncover its recipe.

The Basics of Artisanal Toast

The foundation of any great artisanal toast is, undoubtedly, the bread. The type of bread would surely have to do with the quality of texture, flavor, and enjoyment brought by taking toast. Sourdough—with its tang and hearty chew when the flavor really gets ramped up—stands alone as toast royalty.

Alternatively, whole grain bread provides a hearty and healthy option, packed with seeds and grains for extra texture. Meanwhile, ciabatta has light mass and pockets of air to soak up flavors from toppings, with crust crunch on the outside.

Selecting high-quality, freshly baked bread is the first step in creating an artisanal toast masterpiece.

Choosing the Right Toppings

We can classify the toppings into three groups: the sweet, the savory, and the mixed so that all profiles are taken care of.

Sweet toppings might include fresh fruits, jams, nut butters, and sweet spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
Savory toppings could encompass options like avocado, tomato, cured meats, cheeses, and pickled vegetables.
Mixed toppings combine sweet and savory delights, such as apple slices with cheddar cheese or peanut butter and bacon.

The key is to mix and match flavors and textures to create a balanced and enjoyable dish.

Sweet Artisanal Toast Recipes

Avocado and Berries Toast

Ingredients: 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup of mixed berries (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry), 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of chia

Preparation: Evenly spread the avocado, which should have been previously mashed, over toasted bread. Top with a good amount of mixed berries, drizzle some honey and add chia seeds for extra texture and the nutritional boost they offer.

The creamy avocado thus combines really well with the sweet and sour acidity of the berries to get a perfect combination of flavors.

Ricotta, Fig, and Honey Toast

Ingredients: ¼ cup fresh ricotta, 2 ripe figs (sliced), 1 tablespoon honey, a few mint leaves for garnish.

Assembly: Spread the fresh ricotta over the toasted bread and layer with the sliced figs. Drizzle honey over it to give the sweet touch. Top with mint leaves for the final freshening.

It would also be possible to add some chopped nuts for an extra element of texture or even switch up the fruits to whatever is ripe at the time.

Savory Artisanal Toast Recipes

Tomato Basil Mozzarella Toast

Ingredients: 2 heirloom tomatoes (sliced), ¼ cup fresh mozzarella (sliced or torn), 1 tablespoon basil pesto.

Spread a little basil pesto on the toast. Place a little fresh moonen on top and cover with the heirloom tomato slices. Finally, season with salt and pepper.

Classic breakfast combination of Italy, with the lively foundation of pesto, supporting fresh toppings.

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Toast

Ingredients: 2 ounces smoked salmon, 2 tablespoons cream cheese, 1 tablespoon capers, thinly sliced red onion.

Assembly: Spread cream cheese over the bread and layer against the cream cheese with smoked salmon. Top with capers for a sprinkle and sharpness from the capers, and add a few slices of red onion to get a contrasting flavor.

Inspired to a posh start of the day with this sumptuous marriage of the richness of smoked salmon to the freshness of tangy cream cheese for a robust breakfast or brunch.

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Artisanal Toast

Over the last several years, there's been an explosion in the culinary scene with "artisanal toast," ascending from a plain slice of bread served at breakfast to a blank canvas for the culinary arts.

Servings

Equipment

Bread knife
Toaster or griddle
Spatula
Butter knife
Cutting board
Measuring spoons
grater (for cheese toppings)
Spreaders (for jams, spreads, etc.

Ingredients

1 loaf artisan sandwich bread
Butter
Artisan Jam
1 Honey
Sea Salts
Gold flakes

Instructions

How you present the artisanal toast is almost as important as its taste. Here's how to dress your toast for the camera.
Layering: Arrange any of these toppings in layers or in a pattern; for example, fan out avocado slices or neat banana coins on top.
Contrast of color: The ingredients should contrast in colors with each other to show each ingredient on the plate. For example, maybe some bright-colored berries, green avocado, or perhaps some brightly colored pesto to show texture and taste.
Garnishes: A sprinkle of seeds, nuts, fresh herbs, or edible flowers can add texture and a professional touch.

Author: Scrappy Geek

Calories: 177kcal

Cost: $10

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, SNACKS

Cuisine: French/American

Nutrition

Mixed Flavor Profiles

Peanut Butter, Bacon, and Banana Toast

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter, 2 slices of cooked bacon, 1 banana (sliced).

Suggestions: To balance between sweet and savory, a heaping mound of crunchy peanut butter should really be made for the base. This will help with the crispy and salty bacon richness. Layer up the banana slices; they contribute to the contrast in sweetness.

This is the real balancing act: one needs to ensure that each fork or spoon takes up flavors in the right proportion and does not get bogged down by too much liquid. Drizzle some honey or maple syrup over for more sweetness.

Health Considerations and Modifications

For those with dietary restrictions or health considerations, there are plenty of substitutions that can be made:

Gluten-Free Options: Opt for gluten-free bread varieties available in most supermarkets or health food stores.

Vegan Options: Remove dairy and meat products from plant-based alternatives, like vegan cheese or tempeh bacon. Nut butters and avocados are great for adding richness.

Healthy Option: Use light cream cheese and low-calorie bread with whole grains thinly sliced. Healthy toppings that are low in calories include fresh vegetables and fruits.

On top of that, different toppings add up to nutritional benefits. Avocado has healthy fats, while the berries have antioxidants. Other kinds of bread, like the sprouted grain or almond flour types, add more fiber and protein.

Presentation and Serving Suggestions

How you present the artisanal toast is almost as important as its taste. Here’s how to dress your toast for the camera.

Layering: Arrange any of these toppings in layers or in a pattern; for example, fan out avocado slices or neat banana coins on top.

Contrast of color: The ingredients should contrast in colors with each other to show each ingredient on the plate. For example, maybe some bright-colored berries, green avocado, or perhaps some brightly colored pesto to show texture and taste.

Garnishes: A sprinkle of seeds, nuts, fresh herbs, or edible flowers can add texture and a professional touch.

Equipment’s Required:

When serving artisanal toast, consider the occasion:

Breakfast: Pair with a smoothie or coffee for a hearty start to the day.

Brunch: Serve alongside eggs, salads, or a cheese platter for a varied spread.

Snack: Cut into smaller pieces for an easy-to-share appetizer.

Conclusion

Artisanal toast is more of a creative field than pieces of bread and toppings—it’s like an open canvas for personal taste. I encourage you to mix the ingredients on your own.

The possibilities are endless, and they turn out delicious. I would love to hear all about your favorite artisan toast recipes and any unique twists you’ve tried. Feel free to drop them in the comments below, and your next culinary masterpiece could be just a slice away!

So whether you stick to basic avocado toast or dabble a little by trying something totally new and exotic, the best part of artisan toast really is the love you put into making it.

Happy toasting.

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