The other night my daughter came home from gymnastics and was starving, per usual. I offered her a piece of sourdough toast with a thick smear of butter + jam. She came racing down the stairs after changing out of her leotard and declared, “ooooohhhh, I love the smell of toast!” Such a simple aroma that brings so much comfort.

While I love toast with butter and jam as much as any 9 year old, I also adore what I call “Fancy Toast.” Making fancy toast requires a few extra ingredients but it’s always delicious, satisfying and pretty enough to be on the cover of any food magazine. My formula is a great start – you can switch up ingredients based on what you have and what you like. I begin with great (always sourdough) bread, spread with a thin layer of butter or ghee and toasted in a pan (not the toaster, my friends: toasters = dry toast). Add a creamy cheese, then vegetables, fruit, and or meat/fish, top with herbs (freshly harvested from the garden this time of year!), a drizzle of something sweet or savory and salt & pepper (if needed).

Here are the three variations I shared on Minnesota Live this morning.

Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Fancy Toast

Toast a slice of sourdough bread in a pan. Spread with cream cheese (I love Good Culture and Nancy’s). Layer thinly sliced English cucumbers and wild caught smoked salmon on top. Sprinkle with fresh dill, sea salt and pepper. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on top.

Caprese Fancy Toast

Toast a slice of sourdough bread in a pan. Place burrata cheese on top. Layer sliced tomatoes on the cheese. Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil leaves, sea salt & pepper. Drizzle with aged balsamic vinegar & extra virgin olive oil.

Berry & Mascarpone Fancy Toast

Toast a slice of sourdough bread in a pan. Spread mascarpone cheese on top. Press assorted berries into the cheese, slicing if the berries are large. Sprinkle fresh lemon zest and finely chopped mint over the toast and drizzle with local honey.