7 Delicious Toppings for Sweet Potato Toast

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Brought to you by the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission

Photo credit: Little Bits Of Blog

While classic avocado toast is one of our favorite morning treats, we can’t help but feel a tad guilty when we’re loading up on empty carbs morning after morning. Lucky for you (and us!), the latest trend in the breakfast world comes sans bread and is made up of nutrient-rich instead! Available year-round, this spectacular sweet spud is jam-packed with vitamin A and fiber, naturally sweetened from the earth and low in calories, making them the perfect meal for those on the go. And they can be used in so many ways, like as toast!

The best part? Whipping up this sweet treat is quick and easy. Pop your sweet potato into the microwave for 10 seconds to soften it up. Then simply slice some sweet potatoes about ¼-inch thick (we love NC Sweet Potatoes!) and pop ‘em in the toaster or toaster oven. We recommend toasting twice for a just-the-right amount of crunch. Once done, top with whatever your heart desires – whether it’s a little avocado or a whole lotta cheese, we know you’ll reach for it morning after morning.

Toaster

Photo credit: Little Bits Of Blog

Looking for some inspo? Read on for seven delicious toppings for your sweet potato toast!

Cheese, Please!

What’s tastier than creamy and rich brie cheese? Toast your sweet potatoes, spread your favorite brie on top and finish with some generous drizzles of sweet, locally-made honey. It’s the bee’s knees!

No Schmear Job

Love lox and bagels? While this breakfast all-star is a Sunday morning essential, it’s also loaded with calories that can slow down your day. The solution? Sweet potatoes, of course! Toast up some  , top ‘em with a little crème fraiche, pile on the smoked salmon and throw some capers on top for a little extra punch. Done and done!

Crazy for Coconut

Looking for something sweet? This dessert-inspired iteration will leave you pining for more! The best part? It’s a healthy way to get an all-natural sugar fix. Top with a healthy serving of almond butter, add some finely-chopped dates and complete the treat with a drizzle of coconut butter.

All About Almond

A tried-and-true favorite, this version is topped with almond butter, fresh banana slices, and sprinkles of sweet cinnamon. It’s a creamy concoction that we know you’ll swoon over.

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Photo credit: Little Bits Of Blog

Hello, Hummus
Full of flavor and nutrition, this fresh and flavorful version can be whipped up in a matter of seconds. Simply top your “toast” with your go-to hummus and add some heirloom tomato slices on top. For an added kick, finish with a sprinkle of chili flakes or Himalayan salt.

Pesto Perfection

Simple and tasty, this sweet potato toast is topped with omega-3 rich pesto sauce (recipe here) and is guaranteed to become the best part of your morning routine. Bonus tip: make the pesto ahead of time so you can spread it on in a flash.

Anything-But-Basic Avocado
You didn’t think we’d forget the recipe that started it all, right? Top your spuds with some sliced avocado, a hint of salt, some fresh ground pepper and a little lemon zest and you’re set. If you’re in the mood for a little spice, whip out that Sriracha!

Avocado

Photo credit: Little Bits Of Blog

Like what you see? Watch the video below to find out why cooking with sweet potatoes is not only healthy, but simple. Plus, be sure to share photos of your sweet potato creations on Instagram with the #SweetPotatoToast hashtag!

This article was produced by NC Sweet Potatoes in collaboration with Endless Simmer.

St. Patrick’s Day Hash

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You know we love providing you with all those St. Patrick’s Day drinking ideas, but we’re gonna need something to soak it all up, aren’t we? Enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day recipe created by Pure Organic founder and author of Pure Food, Veronica Bosgraaf.

 

Saint Patrick’s Day in Michigan is kind of crazy. For example, one year we were all downtown in short enjoying the early, warm spring weather – but the next year we bundled up against a 20?F snowstorm. Luckily, the green beer still flows. St. Paddy’s day is a great reminder that the carefree days of summer are close.

On St. Patrick’s Day, I want festive comfort food. This vegan, gluten-free dish works perfectly, and it is so hearty you won’t miss the corned beef. I could make it for breakfast too, but then I’d have to give up my green beer. So put on your cutest green outfit, and no matter what the weather, enjoy the luck of the Irish! If you like, put an organic, free-range fried egg on top of each serving.

Irish Hash

Serves 4

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Yes We Can Eat Pierogies In Summer: Peach Crumble Pierogies Recipe

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There’s no better warming winter treat than a Polish pierogi stuffed full of potato and cheese, then topped with gobs of sour cream. BUT pierogies don’t have to be only a cold-weather treat. Casey Barber’s new book Pierogi Love puts a whole bunch of new-school spins on this old-world treat. One of our favorite versions makes great use of summer’s bounty. Here’s more from Casey Barber… 

IT’S MY SUMMER BREAKFAST RITUAL: standing over the sink, devouring a fresh peach, no plate necessary. In the height of peach season I can plow through two pounds a week this way without even thinking of saving a few for a cobbler or pie. But because all things must end, I’ve stashed a few dozen of these in my freezer to remind me of warm-weather days. The crumble topping freezes
incredibly well, too—spread it on a baking sheet as you would pierogies and transfer to a bag once it’s hard.

Peach Crumble Pierogies

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The Best French Onion Soup Recipe. Ever. (Hint: It Has Beer)

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We’re excited to welcome this guest post from Trisha Miller, a freelance writer from Boise, ID — and a dedicated vegan who enjoys all things craft beer, gardening, and video gaming. Welcome, Trisha!

This soup is so flavorful that it doesn’t rely on bread to give it a nice punch. Guess what? It actually calls for beer.

While this is one of my longer recipes, I love it all the same. It can take an hour to an hour and a half to make, but you need such few ingredients that I feel it is totally worth it. Bread is definitely always a plus, and beer is too. You won’t find a French onion soup that stacks up quite the same. I personally love soup all year round, but you can definitely beef this up a bit for winter or slim it down for summer if you would like.

Beer Onion Soup

What you will need:

  • 1 whole onion (any kind is fine)
  • ½ tablespoon of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons of high heat oil (I use grapeseed)
  • 3 tablespoons of beer (optional)
  • 2 cartons of vegetable broth
  • 2 large mushrooms
  • hemp hearts (optional)
  • salt
  • pepper +1 loaf of bread (optional)
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Eating in Ayia Napa: A Cyprus Culinary Adventure

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Forget the Greek islands — Cyprus is among the most beautiful (and affordable) spots in Europe,  and the beachside town of Ayia Napa has quickly emerged as a hotspot for parties, and as one of the most fun-filled and vibrant places in the Mediterranean. Clearly, we’re mostly interested in what there is to eat there.

Good news: there is no shortage of fantastic restaurants in this part of Cyprus, and here’s a few things to be sure to try, when you can tear yourself away from the waterfront.
1. Chorizo Pilaf

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If you are looking for a snack that is going to fill you right up, chorizo pilaf is the one. This is similar to the paella dishes that you find in Spain, with a wide mix of ingredients all cooked in a pan until the rice is dark and crispy. But this typically Mediterranean take on the dish comes with a deep, zesty flavor due to the combination of paprika, garlic, and lemon.

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Extreme Mother's Day Brunch Recipe: Francois Payard's Chocolate Brioche Pain Perdu

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You”re not really gonna make plain old French toast for Mother”s Day are you? If you”re looking to kick that up a few notches, chef Francois Payard offers this Parisian take on Mother”s Day brunch, with an at-home recipe for his world-famous Chocolate Brioche Pain Perdu.

A counterpoint to American-style French Toast, Payard”s version is more of a sandwich with a chocolate chip filling, topped with sauteed bananas and whipped cream. OK wait, maybe it is pretty American after all. I mean, whipped cream and chocolate chips for breakfast? Doesn”t get any Yankier than that.

Best yet, this decade break-sert can be made ahead of time by freezing the sandwiches overnight (once assembled and soaked thoroughly), and then baked for 10 minutes before serving.

Chocolate Brioche Pain Perdu

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