We share heaps of healthy information on Nutritious Life’s blog every day, but “In the Kitchen with Keri” is your chance to spend some quality time with the wonder woman behind it all, Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN. It’s where she invites you into her space to share the ingredients she’s currently obsessed with, recipes she can’t get enough of, and other tips and tricks learned over many years of life as an always-ahead-of-the-curve nutritionist and wellness expert.
From Open-Faced Sandwich to Toast
I’ve always loved open-faced sandwiches. Now, thanks to the avocado toast craze, I call them “toasts” along with everyone else (and have to focus on making them look super pretty in addition to delicious, naturally).
Why toasts?
First of all, I like that you’re getting just one slice of bread at a time instead of eating a full sandwich, to avoid excess carbs. (Not because you shouldn’t eat them, but because you can easily overdo them!) And you can basically layer anything you’ve got in your fridge onto one of these and have a delicious, healthy meal ready to go in minutes. Breakfast! Lunch! Snack! You can really meet a lot of nutrient needs and bring variety and flavor to the table without having to plan far ahead.
For the bread base, I’m a big fan of Ezekiel’s Food for Life. I like it because it’s made with sprouted grains, is organic, and it doesn’t contain added sugar or other unnecessary, unhealthy ingredients. A good organic sourdough is another great option.
These are a few toasts I whipped up recently.
3 Ways to Go Way Beyond Avocado Toast
First, since we’re talking avocado toast, I love starting with the mashed avo and then layering on whatever vegetables and protein I’ve got. In this one pictured, I had leftover Spicy Roasted Zucchini and Corn, so I threw that on top. You could also add sliced turkey or leftover grilled chicken to turn it into more of a meal—veggies, protein, and healthy fats, all represented.
RELATED: Delicious Roasted Veggies, 3 Ways
For the most simple of the bunch, I spread hummus on the toast for plant protein and then top it with colorful heirloom cherry tomatoes and a little bit of fresh basil. Mediterranean magic made in less than a minute!
Finally, it doesn’t have to be all about savory. Sometimes your sweet tooth will be tingling, and you don’t want to give into cravings for less nutritious foods (I’m talking to you, cupcakes).
RELATED: Finally: Learn How to Prevent Sugar Cravings
I spread a little goat cheese on the toast, top it with fresh blueberries, and then drizzle it with a little bit of honey. Pro tip: Use Ezekiel’s Cinnamon Raisin bread for this one for even more sweet deliciousness, or sprinkle some cinnamon on top (for flavor and about a 100 health benefits).
That’s it! You’re ready to take a big bite … after posting your gorgeous #toasts on Insta, of course.