Toast Archives -

April 7, 2016

Spring Hummus Toasts

One thing I look forward to with the arrival of Spring are the carefree meals with more simple assembling rather than time-consuming preparation– meals that require no more than just beautiful platters of ingredients so everyone can arrange their own plates or bowls. Hummus toast is a common springtime lunch for us and much like avocado toast, we never seem to tire of it. After a generous smear of hummus on a toasted pita, we pile on all sorts of fresh vegetables and seeds and finish it off with a drizzle of good olive oil. There are so many possibilities and it’s so much fun to play around. Perfect for leisurely picnics and also great for a quick lunch at home.

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January 20, 2016

Spicy Honey Crostini with Pears and Walnuts

Crostini is almost always my appetizer of choice for bringing along to share at suppers and gatherings because I find little toasts with toppings irresistible and the variations are endless. I recently discovered Bees Knees Spicy Honey through the Hatchery and it makes the most outstanding crostini. For those of you not yet familiar with the Hatchery, they are a company that focuses on bringing small and independent artisans together in one online marketplace. In addition to purchasing full size products through their marketplace, each month you can also sample various ingredients from these makers through their unique tasting boxes. I’ve been receiving Hatchery tasting boxes for the past few months and each month I feel inspired to incorporate new flavors and spices into my cooking that I might not have otherwise tried. And just in case you need some ideas, each box comes with a guide which introduces each of the makers and provides pairing suggestions for each ingredient. Their marketplace sells jams, honeys, nut butters, spice blends, cooking sauces, oils, vinegars, and so much more. Almost anything you could want to make your time in the kitchen just a little more interesting and exciting is sold at the Hatchery. This spicy honey is one that I’ve been particularly smitten with. It’s infused with chili peppers and has just enough bite to spark a curiosity and leave you wanting more. Here it’s drizzled over juicy fresh pears and toasty walnuts layered on a spread of whipped fresh ricotta and creamy goat cheese. The combination is heavenly.

Right now the Hatchery is kindly offering Gather & Dine readers an opportunity to try their first tasting box for just $10 when you use the code GATHERANDDINE at checkout. And for this week only, they are offering G&D readers 15% off all marketplace purchases when you use the code HATCHGD15 at checkout. (Disclaimer: Discount may not be used in conjunction with any other discounts.) They currently have a new batch of Bees Knees in stock, but I’ve seen this honey sell out on numerous occasions so get some while you can!

January 5, 2016

Cannellini Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Toasts

Happy 2016! Feels so good to be back here after a couple weeks off. We stayed home for the break and were able to spend lots of time catching up with family and old friends. Our own family time was filled was lots of cooking, baking, playing, and laughing, but also we experienced our fair share of sibling squabbles and arguments and I lost my patience too many times to count. It was another realization that I am not yet what I ought to be and there is so much growing to do. So here’s to fresh starts, new beginnings, and moving ahead with humility and grace.

This soup is the perfect one to reset as we all try to refocus ourselves on healthy eating. It’s full of plump creamy cannellini beans and enough vegetables to make you feel virtuous. Sage, rosemary, and thyme is infused throughout and my favorite little parmesan toasts add the finishing touch. It’s simple, but right now I can’t think of anything more inviting than a quietly simmering pot on the stove. Wishing you all the best to what’s ahead in this new year.