There’s something very comforting about the smell of toast. It reminds me of simple breakfasts of my childhood when I would go through different phases… there was strawberry jam week, then my peanut butter phase, and even a period involving that spreadable cheese-like substance in a jar (which I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole as an adult).

Toast doesn’t have to be banished to the breakfast sphere–you can create delicious and easy meals for any time of day using toast as your canvas. Pile on complementary combinations of protein and veggies or fruit on your whole grain toast, and you have a nutritionally rich meal. If you’re worried your meal on toast isn’t fancy enough, opt for artisan bread and call it ‘crostini’. Problem solved.

I like the idea of making a meal on toast because it removes that pesky problem of scraping the roof of your mouth on a toasted sandwich–the toppings make a tasty, protective barrier. What kind of toppings? I’m glad you asked…

Smoked Salmon Scramble on Toast

Eggs are some of the most common ingredients used to make meals out of toast. Stick with what works and kick it up to gourmet level by throwing in a few fancy enhancements (disclaimer: don’t actually kick or throw anything while cooking).

Ingredients:

• Sourdough bread, sliced (pumpernickel or rye would also work nicely)
• Eggs, scrambled
• Avocado
• Salt + pepper
• Smoked salmon, sliced
• Chives or green onions, chopped for garnish

Method:

Toast your bread (fancy upgrade: brush it will olive oil and grill it or broil it for a few minutes). Spread some mashed avocado on each slice of toast and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Top with scrambled eggs, a few slices of smoked salmon, and a few sprinkles of chives or green onions.

Honey Apple Ricotta Toast

We’ve already covered the benefits of eating ricotta, especially when paired with fruit and honey. This recipe is super simple because it only uses a few ingredients and doesn’t require any cooking (aside from the toasting of course).

Ingredients:

• Crusty bread of your choice, sliced
• Ricotta cheese
• Your favorite kind of apples, sliced
• Honey
• Cinnamon

Toast your bread. Spread each slice of toast with ricotta cheese. Top with sliced apples, then drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Cheesy Tuna and Tomato Toast

Another all-time favorite! The classic tuna melt recipe gets an upgrade with tomato slices. Go easy on the cheddar if you want a lighter version–the saltiness of the tomatoes picks up the slack quite nicely.

Ingredients:

• Whole grain bread, sliced
• Tuna salad (if you don’t have a go-to recipe, try this one)
• Cheddar cheese, shredded
• Tomato, sliced

Method: 

While your bread is toasting, pre-heat your broiler. Spread tuna salad on each slice of toast and top with tomato slices. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, then place toast on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese bubbles.

Sautéed Mushrooms on Toast 

A restaurant in my neighborhood serves an appetizer called Magic Mushrooms and it really must be magic because I never thought I could love mushrooms even more. In the restaurant’s version, the mushrooms are swimming in a garlicky cream sauce on top of toasted slices of baguette. This recipe lightens it up a little, but delivers just as much savory mushroom flavor. Fun fact: cremini mushrooms are just baby portobellos, but they’re much easier on the wallet!

Ingredients: 

• Crusty baguette of your choice, sliced
• Olive oil
• Cremini mushrooms, sliced
• Fresh thyme, chopped
• Fresh rosemary, chopped
• Garlic, crushed

Method:

Toast slices of baguette. Sauté mushrooms and herbs in oil until softened. Add crushed garlic and sauté for another minute. Spoon mushroom mixture onto toasted baguette slices.

More Toast Meals to Try

• Broiled Ricotta Tomato Toasts
• Butternut Squash on Toast
• Crab Toast
• Nicoise Toasts
• Garlicky Beans on Toast 

What’s your favorite toast topping? Share in the comments or over on Twitter at @luvoinc.