Avocado Mozzarella Tartine (Printable Version)

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

# What You Need:

→ 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 for garnish, optional
08 - Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven broiler or a toaster oven to high heat.
02 - Toast the bread slices until crisp and golden brown on both sides.
03 - While the bread toasts, halve the avocado and remove the pit. 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 layer.
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 tastes like a fancy cafe lunch but costs a fraction of the price and takes less than 15 minutes start to finish.
  • The contrast between creamy avocado, melted mozzarella, and crisp toast is so satisfying you'll forget it's this simple.
  • You can dress it up or down depending on your mood, from a quick solo snack to a plated brunch for friends.
02 -
  • Watch the broiler like a hawk because mozzarella can go from perfectly melted to burnt in seconds, and there's no coming back from that.
  • If your avocado isn't quite ripe enough, a few extra seconds of mashing and a little more lemon juice will help, but truly hard avocados just won't work here.
  • Letting the mozzarella come to room temperature for 10 minutes before broiling helps it melt more evenly and quickly.
03 -
  • A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top just before serving adds a delicate crunch and a burst of flavor that elevates the whole thing.
  • If you don't have a broiler, you can melt the mozzarella in a hot skillet with a lid, it takes a minute longer but works beautifully.
  • Rubbing the toasted bread with a cut garlic clove before adding the avocado gives a subtle savory depth that makes people ask what your secret is.
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