WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS Some dishes are so simple that they are not even worth talking about. But avocado toast is definitely worth a discussion. Avocado toast is here to stay: It’s healthy, delicious, satisfying, and one of the simplest things to make for a quick breakfast or lunch. We took ours up a notch by whisking together a lemony vinaigrette and mixing it in as we mashed one of the avocados, giving our dish a distinct citrusy punch. Smeared on toasted rustic country bread, topped with sliced avocado, then sprinkled with a little coarse sea salt and red pepper flakes, our version of avocado toast is spectacularly tasty. Topping it with fried eggs just takes it over the top.

Serves 4

TOTAL TIME: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice
• Coarse sea salt or kosher salt and pepper
• 2 ripe avocados
• 4 (½-inch-thick) slices crusty bread
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon zest and juice, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper.
2. Halve and pit 1 avocado. Carefully make ½-inch crosshatch incisions in flesh with a butter knife, cutting down to but not through the skin. Insert a spoon between skin and flesh, gently scoop out avocado cubes, and add to the bowl with the oil mixture. Mash avocado into the vinaigrette with a potato masher (or fork). Halve the remaining avocado, remove pit and peel, and slice thin; set aside.
3. Adjust oven rack 4 inches from the broiler element and heat broiler. Place bread on an aluminum foil–lined rimmed baking sheet. Broil until bread is deep golden on both sides, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
4. Spread mashed avocado mixture evenly on toasts. Arrange avocado slices evenly over the top. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt and red pepper flakes, if using, and serve.

VARIATION

• AVOCADO TOAST WITH FRIED EGGS:
  Crack 4 eggs into 2 small bowls (2 eggs per bowl) and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Pour 1 bowl of eggs into 1 side of pan and second bowl into other side. Cover and cook for 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat and let sit, covered, for 15 to 45 seconds for runny yolks (white around edge of yolk will be barely opaque), 45 to 60 seconds for soft but set yolks, or about 2 minutes for medium-set yolks. Top avocado toasts with fried eggs and serve.