Raise your hand right now if you just love toast. I know you can’t see me right now, but my hand is definitely up in the air.
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Several weeks ago, I posted this recipe for Jeff’s No Knead Bread, and I was very pleased to see many comments come in from people who tried and loved the recipe. The bread is made with beer, so I recently shortened the name to “beer bread.” Given the success everyone is having with this recipe, I thought I’d share some fun toast ideas that work beautifully with crunchy slices of golden beer bread. Below, you’ll find the following:
- Sweet Pea, Mint and Goat Cheese Toast
- Tomato, Basil and Ricotta Toast
- Marinated Zucchini and Feta Toast
Each recipe starts with a slice of toasted beer bread that’s been rubbed with a cut garlic clove. Side note: the aroma that wafts up from the warm bread as you rub the surface with garlic is HEAVEN. Next, the bread is dressed with fresh vegetables, rich cheese, sea salt, black pepper and a hit of bright acid (lemon or vinegar). I’ve outlined 3 combos below, but you could definitely use whatever vegetables/cheeses you have available. Spice roasted carrots with labneh and cilantro. Melted mozzarella and grilled eggplant and basil. Cream cheese with fresh berries and mint. The possibilities are endless! Continue reading for the recipes.
Exciting news!! I recently demoed these beer bread toasts on Tonight in San Diego. I had such a fun time on the show, and I’ll post the video as soon as it goes live. Here’s a photo that Jorge took while we were setting up:
Now, on to the recipes!
Sweet Pea, Mint and Goat Cheese Toast
Ingredients
- 2 slices of beer bread, toasted
- 1 garlic clove
- Goat cheese, at room temperature
- Peas, fresh or thawed from frozen
- Small mint leaves
- Fresh lemon juice
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- As soon as the bread comes out of the oven (or toaster), rub one side of each slice evenly with a garlic clove. You won't use the entire clove.
- Top each slice of toast with a schmear of goat cheese, a spoonful of peas and several small mint leaves. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkling of sea salt and black pepper. Enjoy immediately.
Tomato, Basil and Ricotta Toast
Ingredients
- 2 slices of beer bread, toasted
- 1 garlic clove
- Ricotta cheese (learn how to make at home here!)
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Small basil leaves
- Aged balsamic vinegar*
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- As soon as the bread comes out of the oven (or toaster), rub one side of each slice evenly with a garlic clove. You won't use the entire clove.
- Top each slice of toast with a schmear of ricotta cheese, a spoonful of halved cherry tomatoes and several small basil leaves. Finish with a drizzle of aged balsamic and a sprinkling of sea salt and black pepper. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Marinated Zucchini and Feta Toast
Ingredients
- 1 small 5 - 6 ounces zucchini
- Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 slices of beer bread toasted
- 1 garlic clove
- Feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Using a vegetable peeler, shave the zucchini into thin ribbons until you reach the seedy core. Spread the ribbons out on a cutting board and sprinkle liberally with salt. Let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse the zucchini well, then gently pat dry and transfer to a small bowl. Toss ribbons with lemon juice, olive oil and chopped parsley.
- As soon as the bread comes out of the oven (or toaster), rub one side of each slice evenly with a garlic clove. You won't use the entire clove.
- Top each slice of toast with half of the marinated zucchini. Finish with a sprinkling of crumbled feta and freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy immediately.
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I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient says
Avocado toast is everywhere so this is a very welcome break. Especially in love with the mint, pea, and goat cheese toast- very cool!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Mary!! That one might be my favorite of the three 🙂
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I would go to town on any of those toasts…I mean some bread with cheese and then layered with fresh veggie toppings, that’s my idea of the perfect ‘dinner’ 🙂
Congrats on your big appearance, too! So happy for you!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Averie! Haha yeah, I was eating these for dinner for several days after taking photos.
Matt says
I love toast and love these creations of yours!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Matt!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
These are all stunning, each one could have been a post in itself! Your description of just the plain warm bread rubbed with the garlic sounded amazing to me 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Sue!! That garlic + bread is a simple pleasure 🙂
Mary says
I love all of these ideas! Toast with a smear of soft cheese and bright vegetables is one of my favorite summer dinners!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Mary!
Tracy @ Served from Scratch says
Me!! Both my hands are in the air – I could live off of toasts like these! Especially when it’s on homemade bread. All 3 of them are so gorgeous! I especially love the pea mint and goat cheese – pinning!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much Tracy!!
Tracy | Baking Mischief says
These are gorgeous pictures!! I love loading up toast with toppings. I think the basil and tomato one might be my favorite of the three, but that marinated zucchini looks good too!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much Tracy!
Megan Marlowe says
the flavor combinations you have going on these toasts are incredible! Wish I could reach through the screen and try all 3-YUM!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Megan!
Georgina Ingham | Culinary Travels says
I am waving my hands in the air like crazy over here. Those toasts look utterly divine. Gorgeous bread. Gorgeous toppings. Perfection.
Brandon Matzek says
Haha thanks Georgina!!
Meeta says
This is my kind of meal. I love crispy bread and living in Germany we have a lot of variety – but your beer bread sounds wonderful! Love the vibrant images!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Meeta! I’ve spent some time in Germany, and I remember the bread was quite delicious 🙂
Diana says
Tomato, basil, and ricotta toast sounds AMAZING! You just made me really hungry with all of the beautiful pictures!q
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Diana!!
Kristen says
Goat cheese, mint and peas! how perfect does that sound!
Brandon Matzek says
It’s such a tasty combo. Thanks Kristen!
Valentina says
This post makes me want to have a party and serve a bunch of fun toasts! LOVE the mint and peas — all of them, really. So pretty and delicious!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Valentina!!