Avocado Mozzarella Tartine (Print Version)

Open-faced tartine with smashed avocado, melted mozzarella, and crisp toasted bread. Ready in 15 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Bread

01 - 2 slices rustic country bread or sourdough

→ Avocado

02 - 1 ripe avocado
03 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
04 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Cheese

05 - 3 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced

→ Garnish

06 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
07 - Fresh basil leaves, optional
08 - Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven broiler or toaster oven to high heat.
02 - Toast the bread slices until crisp and golden brown on both sides.
03 - Halve the avocado, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper, then mash with a fork until mostly smooth with some small chunks remaining.
04 - Spread the smashed avocado evenly over the toasted bread slices.
05 - Arrange mozzarella slices on top of the avocado layer.
06 - Place the tartines on a baking tray and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the mozzarella is melted and just starting to bubble.
07 - Drizzle with olive oil and top with fresh basil leaves and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes less time than waiting for delivery and tastes like you actually tried.
  • The creamy avocado against melted mozzarella creates this perfect hot and cool contrast that feels almost fancy.
  • You can make it with whatever bread is sitting on your counter, no special shopping required.
  • It fills you up without that heavy, regretful feeling some comfort foods leave behind.
02 -
  • If your avocado isn't ripe enough, it won't mash smoothly and tastes chalky, so plan ahead or gently ripen it in a paper bag with a banana overnight.
  • Don't skip the lemon juice, I forgot it once and the avocado turned brown within ten minutes, looking unappetizing even though it tasted fine.
  • Watch the broiler like a hawk, because thirty seconds can be the difference between perfectly melted cheese and a smoky kitchen disaster.
03 -
  • Run your knife under hot water before slicing mozzarella so it glides through instead of squishing the cheese into a messy blob.
  • If your avocado is slightly under ripe, microwave it for ten seconds to soften it just enough for easier mashing without cooking it.
  • Toast the bread on a wire rack instead of directly on a pan so air circulates underneath and both sides crisp evenly without flipping.
  • Salt your avocado more than you think you should, because under seasoned avocado is the most common mistake and ruins an otherwise perfect tartine.
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