Name: Vegan Black Beans on Toast with Tomato and Avocado
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 ounces cherry tomatoes , quartered; 4 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil; Salt and pepper; 1 (15-ounce) can black beans , rinsed; ¼ cup boiling water; ½ teaspoon grated lime zest plus 1 tablespoon juice; 4 (½-inch-thick) slices crusty bread; 1 ripe avocado , halved, pitted, and sliced thin; ¼ cup Quick Sweet-and-Spicy Pickled Red onions (optional); ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves

Why This Recipe Works

We wanted a topped toast that was a bit more substantial and could stand alone as breakfast. We chose a bold Southwestern flavor profile to liven up our morning; the simple rusticity of mashed black beans on toast elevated with a bit of spice, fresh tomato, some creamy avocado, and a good squeeze of lime is hard to argue with. But we weren't in the mood to dirty a pan to cook beans en route to a quick breakfast. By simply mashing our beans with a little hot water, oil, and lime zest and juice, we were able to get a flavorsome and well-textured base. For a splash of color, heat, and acidity, we really liked the addition of spicy quick-pickled onions, which can be made up to a week ahead. (If you don't have them on hand, a pinch of red pepper flakes will give you back that heat.) A liberal garnish of cilantro leaves freshened all the flavors. With just 10 minutes of work, we had a fantastic upgrade to breakfast toast.

Before You Begin

For an accurate measure of boiling water, bring a full kettle of water to boil and then measure out the desired amount.

Instructions

Combine tomatoes, 1 teaspoon oil, pinch salt, and pinch pepper in bowl. Mash beans, boiling water, lime zest and juice, ½ teaspoon salt, pinch pepper, and remaining 1 tablespoon oil with potato masher to coarse puree in second bowl, leaving some whole beans intact.

Adjust oven rack 4 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Place bread on aluminum foil–lined baking sheet and broil until golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side.

Spread mashed bean mixture evenly on toasts, then top with avocado and season with salt to taste. Top with pickled onions, if using; tomatoes; and cilantro leaves and serve.