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Avocado Toast Recipe

Name: The General Deli & Cafes AVOCADO TOAST Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 slices panini bread or sourdough slices; 2 tbs olive oil; 1 tbs unsalted butter (optional, for extra browning); 2 pieces ripe avocados; 1 tbs fresh lime juice; 1 clove garlic; 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil; 3 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 2 tbs crème fraîche or Greek yogurt (optional for creaminess); 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 tbs red wine vinegar; 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tsp minced shallot; 2 tbs fresh basil, thinly sliced; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced; 1 tbs apple cider vinegar; 3 tbs water; 1 tsp sugar; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 /4 cup crumbled cotija cheese; 1 cup arugula; 1 tbs balsamic glaze or good aged balsamic; 1 tsp red pepper flakes; 0.25 tsp sea salt (for finishing)

Inspired by The General Deli & Cafe

Time30m

Serves4

Avocado Spread, Marinated Cherry Tomatoes, Pickled Onion, Cotija, Red Pepper Flakes, Arugula, & Balsamic, on Toasted Panini

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Ingredients

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Toast

4 slices panini bread or sourdough slices

2 tbs olive oil

1 tbs unsalted butter (optional, for extra browning)

Avocado Spread

2 pieces ripe avocados

1 tbs Fresh lime juice

1 clove Garlic

1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

3 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp black pepper

2 tbs crème fraîche or Greek yogurt (optional for creaminess)

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes

2 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved

1 tbs red wine vinegar

2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp minced shallot

2 tbs fresh basil, thinly sliced

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp black pepper

Quick Pickled Red Onion

1 medium Red onion, thinly sliced

1 tbs Apple cider vinegar

3 tbs water

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp kosher salt

Assembly & Garnish

1 /4 cup crumbled cotija cheese

1 cup Arugula

1 tbs balsamic glaze or good aged balsamic

1 tsp Red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp sea salt (for finishing)

Method

Toast

Preheat a panini press or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Brush each bread slice lightly with olive oil (and a thin smear of butter if using). Toast in the panini press or skillet until golden brown and crisp, about 2–3 minutes per side in a skillet or 3–5 minutes in a press. Keep warm.

Avocado Spread

Make the avocado spread

Halve and pit the avocados. Scoop flesh into a bowl and mash with a fork to a slightly chunky consistency. Add lime juice, grated or finely minced garlic clove, 1 tsp olive oil, 3 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper and the crème fraîche or Greek yogurt if using. Taste and adjust seasoning. The spread should be creamy, bright, and well seasoned.

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes

Marinate tomatoes

Place the halved cherry tomatoes in a bowl. Add 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 2 tsp olive oil, minced shallot, sliced basil, 1 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Toss gently to combine and let sit at room temperature for at least 10–15 minutes to develop flavor (can marinate up to 1 hour).

Quick Pickled Red Onion

Quick pickle onions

Place the thinly sliced red onion in a small jar or bowl. Whisk together 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp water, 1 tsp sugar and 1 tsp kosher salt until dissolved. Pour the pickling liquid over the onions, press down to submerge, and let sit for at least 10 minutes (preferably 20–30 minutes) while you prepare other components. Onions will become milder and slightly pink.

Assembly & Garnish

Spread about 2–3 tbsp of the avocado mixture evenly over each toasted slice of bread.

Divide the marinated cherry tomatoes over the avocado-topped toasts, using about 1/2 cup tomatoes per toast (adjust to taste).

Top each toast with a few strips of quick-pickled red onion. Drain excess pickle liquid before adding to avoid soggy bread.

Scatter crumbled cotija cheese over each toast (about 2 tbsp per toast).

Add a small handful of arugula on top of each for peppery freshness.

Finish with a light drizzle of balsamic glaze (about 1/2 tsp per toast), a pinch of red pepper flakes (about 1/8–1/4 tsp), and a light sprinkle of sea salt.

Serve immediately while toast is still warm and crunchy.