I feel fairly qualified to talk all things cafe breakfast.
There's not many cafe brekkies that I haven't sampled over the years and I must admit, sometimes there's nothing better than someone bringing your breakfast to you (and cleaning up afterwards!)
However, this is a) not always possible and b) sometimes you're not offered the best food so bring on my #1 cafe brekkie - the dish that always makes me happy.
Smashed avocado.
Best of all, I tailored this one to my favourite specifications, a little more of this and a little less of that. You can do exactly the same and for 1/4 of the price!
You couldn't get to the cafe, be served and get back in the time that this recipe takes. There's even minimal washing up and if you're like me - the recipe extends far beyond breakfast time....
Like all good recipes, the ingredients you start with are crucial and I say if you're saving money on a cafe brekkie, why not buy the good bread?
Go to a rocking bakery and spend the $7-ish on a mouth-wateringly perfect loaf of sourdough, I go for a soy and linseed sourdough normally. And skip the slicing when offered, do it at home - your way.
Or include my delicious and uber healthy, gluten-free Nut & Seed Loaf. Find it here.
Then get yourself some epic, ripe avocados.
Crazy, fresh herbs.
Salty, creamy fetta.
Juicy lime.
Crunchy, bitey radish (go on, it's good!)
That's it.
Beyond the delicious ingredients, what's key is the amount of everything and the application.
This is way beyond toast and I promise you'll wonder what you've been eating at cafes all this time.
When one eats at home, I think it's good to go to trouble, to make an effort.
You'll often find me talking about using the 'good plates' and going that extra mile.
Partly because I love making meals special, though also because it invites more gratitude and joy to preparing the food you eat and a whole lot more mindfulness when you do in fact eat.
Use your 'good things,' make an effort with plating up the meal and enjoy every delicious bite.
So what are we eating then?
- 4 slices quality sourdough bread or gluten-free loaf like this
- 1 large avocado
- 50g quality fetta
- 3-4 small red radishes, washed and quartered
- ¼ loosely packed cup fresh mint leaves
- ¼ loosely packed cup dill leaves
- Juice ½ fresh lime
- Salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoons micro herbs (optional to serve)
- Preheat the grill to 175 degrees (electric)
- Once warm, add bread and toast lightly on each side (or use a toaster)
- Remove from grill
- Scoop out avocado and allocate evenly between each slice
- Use a fork to lightly spread across toast
- Crumble fetta evenly across slices
- Add radish to toast
- Tear herbs and add
- Season and squeeze fresh lime over each slice
- Top with optional micro herbs for an extra special finish
This recipe calls for using a grill, as I love the resulting subtle toasting, however a toaster works perfectly too. Gluten-free? Ditch the toast and make it with this awesome nut & seed loaf - easy.
Enjoy your cafe-style brekkie with some warming tea in the cooler months or a refreshing lime and herb flavoured water to keep things on par with the special factor.
Make it for yourself, make it for someone you love, just make it.
When you do, tag me in your photo on instagram using #nfeats - I love seeing your creations.