California Avocado Toast

Ingredients

• 4 slices sourdough bread, 3/4 inch thick
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, halved
• 2 ripe Hass avocados
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons crumbled cotija or feta
• 2 radishes, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves

Before you cook

• Halve and pit the avocados.
• Halve the garlic clove.
• Thinly slice the radishes.
• Pick the cilantro leaves off their stems.

Steps

1. Brush both sides of the bread slices with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
2. Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat until a drop of water dances on the surface.
3. Toast the bread for 3 minutes per side, until crisp and marked with dark spots.
4. Rub the cut side of the garlic clove over the hot surface of each slice.
5. Scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl and add the lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of the flaky salt and the black pepper.
6. Smash the avocado with a fork, leaving it lumpy rather than smooth.
7. Spread the avocado thickly on the toasts, going right to the edges.
8. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the top.
9. Finish each toast with cotija, radish slices, cilantro, red pepper flakes and the rest of the flaky salt.