Sourdough Avocado Toast with a Global Twist

• •4 slices, thick-cut Sourdough Bread
• •3 large Ripe Avocados
• •1 large, juiced Lime
• •2 tbsp, plus more for drizzling Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• •1 tsp, or to taste Sea Salt
• •1 tsp, or to taste Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• •1 cup, halved or quartered Cherry Tomatoes
• •1 small, very thinly sliced Red Onion
• •1 cup White Vinegar (or Apple Cider Vinegar)
• •1 tsp Granulated Sugar
• •1 cup, chopped Fresh Cilantro
• •1 cup, crumbled Feta Cheese
• •1 tbsp Toasted Black and White Sesame Seeds
• •1 tsp, or to taste Chili Flakes (or Aleppo Pepper)
• •1 tbsp Toasted Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)
• •1 tsp Tamari or Light Soy Sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Begin by quick-pickling the red onion. In a small bowl, combine the thinly sliced red onion, white vinegar, and sugar. Stir well and let it sit for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. This will soften the onion and give it a pleasant tang.

2. 2

   Prepare the sourdough bread. You can toast it in a toaster, a toaster oven, or a skillet. For a skillet, drizzle a little olive oil on each side of the bread and toast over medium heat until golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside.

3. 3

   In a medium bowl, scoop out the flesh of the ripe avocados. Add the lime juice, sea salt, and black pepper. Mash with a fork to your desired consistency – some prefer it smooth, others a bit chunky. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If using, stir in the optional tamari or light soy sauce for an extra layer of umami.

4. 4

   Evenly spread a generous amount of the mashed avocado onto each slice of toasted sourdough bread.

5. 5

   Now, layer on the 'global twist' toppings. Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes over the avocado. Drain the quick-pickled red onions and scatter them over the toast.

6. 6

   Sprinkle the chopped fresh cilantro, crumbled feta cheese, toasted black and white sesame seeds, chili flakes (or Aleppo pepper), and toasted pumpkin seeds over each piece of toast.

7. 7

   Finish with a final drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil over each assembled toast. Serve immediately and enjoy the explosion of global flavors!

Chef's Tips

• 💡**Choosing Ripe Avocados**: Look for avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure when squeezed. Avoid those that are too hard (underripe) or too soft (overripe).
• 💡**Perfect Toast**: Don't under-toast your sourdough! A crisp, golden-brown base is essential to hold up the toppings and provide a satisfying crunch.
• 💡**Customizable Spice**: Adjust the amount of chili flakes to your preferred level of heat. For a milder touch, use Aleppo pepper, which offers a fruity, mild heat.
• 💡**Quick Pickling**: If you're short on time, you can skip the quick-pickling step and use thinly sliced fresh red onion, but the pickled version adds a wonderful tangy counterpoint.
• 💡**Serving Suggestion**: For an even heartier meal, top with a perfectly poached or fried egg.