Avocado Mozzarella Tartine (Printer-friendly)

Open-faced tartine with creamy avocado and melted mozzarella on crispy toasted bread. A quick, satisfying vegetarian lunch.

# What You'll 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 - Set oven broiler or toaster oven to high heat.
02 - Toast bread slices until crisp and golden on both sides.
03 - Halve avocado, remove pit, and scoop flesh into small bowl. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper, then mash with fork until mostly smooth with some small chunks remaining.
04 - Spread mashed avocado evenly over toasted bread slices.
05 - Arrange mozzarella slices on top of avocado.
06 - Place tartines on baking tray and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until mozzarella melts and begins 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 feels gourmet but takes less time than waiting for takeout to arrive.
  • The contrast between the crispy bread and the soft, melty topping is ridiculously satisfying.
  • You probably already have everything you need in your fridge right now.
  • It's one of those meals that works for breakfast, lunch, or a late-night snack without any judgment.
02 -
  • Don't walk away from the broiler, mozzarella can go from perfectly melted to burnt in under a minute.
  • If your avocado isn't ripe enough, it won't mash smoothly and the texture will be grainy instead of creamy.
  • Let the bread cool for just 30 seconds after toasting before spreading the avocado, or it can turn warm and mushy instead of staying vibrant.
03 -
  • Pat the mozzarella slices dry with a paper towel before layering them on, it prevents excess moisture from making the bread soggy.
  • Use a fork to mash the avocado instead of a food processor, it keeps the texture rustic and prevents it from turning into baby food.
  • If you don't have a broiler, a hot skillet with a lid works too, just cover it for a minute to help the cheese melt.
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