Toast

These bruschette from the cookbook Simple to Spectacular by Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Mark Bittman (Broadway Books), look both simple and beautiful. Each is topped with an array of mushrooms—shiitake, cremini, and chanterelle —that is set off by fresh tarragon. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 45 min

To set a festive mood, serve these with mimosas made with icy-cold Prosecco and freshly squeezed tangerine juice.

These little toasts make a crisp base for savory toppings of eggplant and roasted peppers , chickpeas and mint , and sweet-and-sour onions . Mix and match as you please — if you prefer one topping over another, the recipes can easily be doubled. Active time: 5 min Start to finish: 20 min

"My profession as a real estate agent requires a lot of my time," writes Edi Meadows Morrissette of Westin, Florida, "so it helps that I am lightning-fast in the kitchen. I cook every day, and on the weekends I sometimes make three meals a day. I accomplish that by following my main cooking principles: (1) do a lot of prep work, and (2) keep the kitchen well stocked. For example, at holiday time I might chop onions in advance or bake bread the day before company arrives. And since I converted the bedroom next to my kitchen into a pantry for extra storage, I know I'll always have the right ingredients at my fingertips." Nice with drinks, soup, or salad. The cheese spread can be made a day ahead.

This stunner of an appetizer comes together with boquerones and a few pantry staples.

You’re a few minutes away from the snack of the season.

Instead of balsamic vinaigrette, think fresh ginger, nutty sesame oil, scallion, and a dash of soy.

Jarred artichokes are a versatile panty ingredient ideal for pastas, salads, and even toasts, as seen here piled high over a creamy ricotta spread.

Humble canned chickpeas become the stuff of open-face sandwich dreams with the help of a few flavorful, crunchy mix-ins and a whole lot of sharp cheddar.

When the flavors of a savory salmon poke bowl crash land on a slice of avocado toast, you’ve got a lunchtime power player on your hands. 

This toast is loaded with bright aioli, punchy tomatoes, and smoky shrimp—it definitely requires a fork and knife.

Turn summer’s bounty into a full meal with some blistered cherry tomatoes, cooling yogurt, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze piled on top of fried bread.

It’s aioli-slathered toast doused in brothy butter beans, clams, and crispy ham. What else do you need to know?

Sweet and creamy meets crunchy and tart.

 Fried bread is good. A slice of fried bread piled with creamy, curried egg salad is even better. 

Fresh summer tomatoes take center stage with these saucy Margherita pizza-inspired beans.

Hits of crème fraîche, lemon zest, and dill will guarantee you a rich and zingy shrimp toast.