Avocado Mozzarella Tartine (Printable Version)

Crispy toasted bread topped with creamy avocado and melted mozzarella. A quick, vegetarian delight ready in 15 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Bread

01 - 2 slices rustic country bread or sourdough

→ Avocado

02 - 1 ripe avocado
03 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
04 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Cheese

05 - 3 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced

→ Garnish

06 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
07 - Fresh basil leaves, optional
08 - Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven broiler or toaster oven to high heat.
02 - Toast the bread slices until crisp and golden on both sides.
03 - While the bread toasts, halve the avocado, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper, then mash with a fork until mostly smooth with some small chunks remaining.
04 - Spread the smashed avocado evenly over the toasted bread slices.
05 - Arrange mozzarella slices on top of the avocado.
06 - Place the tartines on a baking tray and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the mozzarella is melted and just starting to bubble.
07 - Drizzle with olive oil, and top with fresh basil leaves and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It bridges the gap between a snack and a real meal without leaving you heavy or sluggish.
  • The combination of textures, from crisp toast to silky avocado to gooey cheese, keeps every bite interesting.
  • You can pull it together in the time it takes to brew coffee, making it ideal for unpredictable mornings.
  • It looks polished enough to serve guests but feels comforting enough to eat alone in your pajamas.
02 -
  • Do not walk away from the broiler, mozzarella goes from perfectly melted to burnt in less than a minute.
  • If your avocado is not quite ripe, let it sit in a paper bag with a banana overnight to speed things up.
  • Season the avocado before spreading it, not after, because the salt needs to blend into the flesh to taste right.
  • Use a fork to mash the avocado, not a food processor, or it will turn into baby food instead of having that rustic, chunky texture.
03 -
  • Rub a cut garlic clove on the toasted bread before adding the avocado for a subtle, savory depth.
  • Use a really good olive oil for the final drizzle, this is where you taste it most clearly, so cheap oil will be obvious.
  • If you want extra richness, add a few flakes of sea salt on top of the melted mozzarella just before serving.
  • For a smoky twist, broil the bread with the mozzarella face down for 30 seconds to get little charred spots on the cheese.
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