In case you don’t know this about me, I don’t do well with change. I like security and those constant things in life that you can always trust to be there for you when you need them most. In that same vein, I don’t like moving. I think it has something to do with the fact that I was born and raised in the house where my parents still live. I never moved as a child and when I left college and got to Boston, I stayed in my apartment for 5 years. I finally moved across the street (literally… I can see my old apartment from my current bedroom) when Chris and I decided to move in together. Two years later and we’re gearing up to move again.
I have a lot of mixed emotions about this move, especially given the fact that I’m leaving my favorite neighborhood and home for the past 7 years. It’s tough, but at the risk of being incredibly cheesy, I’ve learned that “home is wherever I’m with Chris” and if we had to move to Nebraska, I’d be fine with it if I were with him. But really, things aren’t so dramatic. At all. The bottom line is Brookline is a freaking expensive town and our apartment raised rent a ridiculous amount and some day we want to buy a house. So, we’re moving out to Melrose, which sounds really far and scary to me. But in reality, my commute to work will be 20 minutes less each way and we’ll be closer to Downtown Boston via public transportation. And I’m excited to be in a new home with my new husband, where we will start our married life together. I know it’s going to be all good; I just have a tough time saying goodbye to my constants.
I feel like avocados are one of those safe things in life. They’re always good, no matter how they’re prepared. If they’re a little mushy, you can mash them up into guacamole and nobody is any wiser. They’re also simple. When I was reading this month’s Bon Appetit magazine, I was immediately struck by the Editor’s Letter. Adam Rappaport talked about a fancy dinner party he threw, with expensive ingredients and well-planned out courses. Except he forgot the appetizer and at the last minute threw together some avocado toasts. And they ended up being the best part of the meal; the course everyone raved about. We already knew that the simple things are so often the best, but sometimes it’s good to be reminded.
I mean, there was no way I wasn’t going to make these when I spotted this photo as I was flying to Virginia last week:
I’m giving you a recipe, but really just do what you want and use whatever amount of ingredients feels right to you. Make it simple and stress-free. There’s enough in life to be stressed about; dinner 7 nights a week shouldn’t be one of them.
Avocado Toasts (makes about 10):
Print this recipe!
- 1 loaf good, crusty bread
- 2 avocados
- 3 cloves garlic
- Olive oil
- Crushed red pepper
- Coarse sea salt
Slice your bread and peel and chop your avocado into cubes or slices. Also, peel your garlic.
On a grill or in a grill pan, toast your bread on each side until it starts to get brown and crispy.
Take bread off the grill and cut each clove of garlic in half. Rub on warm bread.
Pile on the avocado. Drizzle with good extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with crush red pepper. Add some sea salt on top, too.
And dinner is ready. Or your party appetizer. But I really did eat these for dinner. Why not, right? They were delicious and I felt totally satisfied after I ate a few (fine… 5).
They’re perfect for summer when you don’t feel like putting a whole lot of time into meal-planning and as Adam Rappaport discovered, they’re also perfect for guests whom you want to impress.
And if you’re in the process of moving or gearing up for it, these little babies will keep you sane and happy. Trust me; I know.
And yup, now I’m getting back to packing. Seriously, that’s just about all I did this weekend. My body aches and my brain hurts from trying to decide what to keep and what to throw away (I told you, I’m not good with change!). I can’t believe I have to jump into a full week of work without any downtime, but once we’re all moved and happily settled, it will be worth it. And I can’t say I’m not incredibly excited to say goodbye to the MBTA’s Green Line and hello to my super shortened commute. Change is good.
Do you move a lot or tend to stay in one place for extended periods?
[Sues]
Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbok Giveaway Winner!
I also wanted to announce the winner of the fabulous Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbook from last week. It’s Lorilea! Congratulations! I’ll reach out to you ASAP to get your contact information.
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I feel you. I HATE change also. Even moving seven floors down in the SAME BUILDING two weekends ago was minorly traumatic for me. But I bet you’ll LOVE your new place in the end.
And at least you’ll have these delicious toasts to comfort you!
Wow, 7 years in Brookline! Change is definitely hard but your new “normal” will be awesome. I couldn’t agree more that home is where ever my husband is, whether than be Cambridge or Timbuktu!
Good luck with the move, Sues! If you ever need reminding of how awful the C train is in the morning, just let me know.
WHAT!? I feel so honored!!! Thank you so much!
got some avocados ripening on the counter now – can’t wait to use them in this recipe!
As someone who’s moved from Brookline to Beacon Hill to Melrose, I can feel your pain…but Melrose will definitely grow on you! I love it and it’s still so close to the city…and you have a reader here to share all her top picks!
Melrose is a really cute place! Even though it will be different, it is exciting to have a fresh start and all sorts of new experiences to look forward to together. Good luck with the move!
Good luck with the move! Avocado always makes thing better for me, too.
I also never moved growing up, but from college until now, I moved almost every summer. It’s a great feeling knowing we don’t have to move anytime soon <>!
i’ve got a few friends up in melrose, and they seem to love it
I even get up there more often than I thought to visit, so it’s not that far! i’m totally with you on change though, but I know both of our moves will be worth it 
good luck with the move! we’re moving in november and i’m already dreading it… these avocado toasts look fab!
This looks absolutely delicious!
Good luck with your move
I also saw these in the magazine and had kind of a “Duh” moment. I made them for my last party and they were a huge hit!
so much yum!
not going to lie– it’s food like this that we eat in our house, every day. i love fancy food, but holy cow– all i want is just simple food, straight from the ground. it also helps that avocados are fresh here year round, i guess!
Welcome to the north shore!! Melrose is a great town. If you love avocados, then you must love Mexican food, which means you’ll love Mexico Lindo on Main Street in Melrose. So good! Good luck with your move.
I’m the opposite of you. Growing up, I’ve never stayed in one place for more than 3 years, so I get antsy when I’m staying in one location for too long.
thankfully…good food is constant! You can’t go wrong with avocado on toast!
Congratulations on the move! Change is scary… but exciting! And I’ve had that avocado recipe flagged since my BA arrived in the mail.
It’s a nice post.
I’m not a huge fan of change either but I think you’ll like Melrose, we have some friends who live there and they do
I am definitely going to make this. My favorite dish at Il Casale used to be called Pera Avocado and was very similar to this but the avocado was smushed and more like a hummus kind of (though I don’t think there were any beans). They took it off the menu so its about time I make it for myself!
I just moved, (for similar reasons) so I feel you. It’s hard to pack and to leave a place that has been home for so long!!! I never moved as a kid either. Now that I’m mostly settled, it’s even better than I could have imagined. I think i need these toasts just because. I ate/used three avocados this weekend, if that tells you how much I love em.
I saw these on BA as well and they’re on my to cook list! Yours look beautiful. good luck with the move!
I love avocado toast too – I usually mash the avocado on top of the toast, and sometimes add a slice of cheese
Your posts always make me hungry. I would so eat this for dinner too. Hellooo summer!
i eat this for breakfast almost every morning. i switch between avocado and s&p and bananas with cinnamon on toast. but the avocado almost always wins out.
Change can be hard, but….exciting too. Just think about how fun it will be to set up a new place.
I have moved 13 times throughout my life, that includes 3 different states. Your shorter commute will be great and always…cheaper rent is good. 
Have fun!
Avocado is a favorite of mine. These look delicious and so pretty too.
Welcome to Melrose! I bought my house there a little over a year ago and could not be happier about it. Try the muffins at Bohemian Coffehouse, you will not regret it.