Avocado on toast makes a superb breakfast choice if you're after something both nutritious and satisfying to kick-start your day, but it can often seem rather lacklustre if you're unsure how to prepare it properly. Plenty of people adore avocados for their silky texture, which spreads effortlessly onto toast, yet the fruit itself possesses quite a subtle taste, which can quickly become monotonous.
The Secret Ingredient for Buttery Avocado
However, Sara Wells, a cookbook author and co-founder of Our Best Bites, has shared that avocados become far more enjoyable and can even develop a buttery quality when seasoned with the appropriate salt, which can enhance their inherent flavour. Sara said: "I would avoid table salt. Use kosher salt or a flaky sea salt would work well. The larger salt crystals are a nice contrast to the creamy avocado."
It may sound straightforward, but avocados possess a faintly bitter flavour that conceals the delicate nutty and creamy characteristics already present in the fruit.
Why Salt Makes Avocados Taste Better
Salt will amplify the flavours on your taste buds, so seasoning avocados will give them a more pronounced taste and balance the richness of the fruit to render them less bitter. Just a pinch of salt can transform avocados into something genuinely delicious, but it's crucial not to use table salt as the tiny crystals dissolve extremely rapidly, making it simple to over-season the fruit.
It's preferable to use kosher salt or sea salt as they're less overwhelming and will rest on the surface of the avocado, making it simpler to manage the seasoning and giving the avocado a pleasing crunch when you take a bite. Many people squeeze lemon juice over avocados, as the acidity helps to bring out the fruit's natural flavours. A drizzle of olive oil on top can also work wonders to complement the texture.
How to Make Better Avocados on Toast
You will need (for one person):
- Half an avocado
- One lemon
- Kosher or sea salt
- Black pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Handful of fresh chives (optional)
- One medium tomato (optional)
Method:
- Start by cutting an avocado in half, removing the stone, and carefully scooping out the flesh with a spoon, trying to keep it as whole as possible.
- Transfer the avocado to a bowl, cut it into even slices, then drizzle with olive oil and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Season well with salt and a pinch of black pepper to boost the flavour. Mash the avocado if you prefer a smoother consistency, or leave the slices as they are.
- Toast your bread, lay the avocado slices on top, and serve up as a quick and tasty breakfast option.
Feel free to add extra toppings such as poached eggs, bacon, or salmon. If you're using tomato or chives, finely chop the tomato after discarding the seeds and snip the chives into small pieces before sprinkling them over the dish.
