For the savory-loving Mom, these tartines are quick to prepare and look fabulous on the brunch table. A refreshed take on the now-classic avocado toast, they’re perfect on their own or paired with a colorful smoothie, tofu scramble, and fresh fruit salad.
How to choose a ripe avocado
Essential to this recipe, ripe avocados will yield to your thumb when pressed gently and will have turned from green to a dark brown-green. The flavor goes from vegetal when underripe to buttery and savory at its eating peak. Avoid overripe and bruised avocados with sunken skin, as these are past their prime.

- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove peeled and grated
- 2 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup no-salt-added vegetable broth
- 3 Tbsp unsweetened rice vinegar
- 2 Tbsp low-sodium tamari
- 6 slices thickwhole grain sourdough or gluten-free bread
- 2 Tbsp plant-based mayonnaise
- 3 ripe avocados halved, pitted, and peeled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 tsp Japanese-style sprinkle such as shichimi togarashi or toasted sesame seeds
- For umami sauce, in medium saucepan, heat oil over medium and sauté garlic and ginger for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant. Whisk in maple syrup and tomato paste and cook for a few seconds. Slowly whisk in broth, vinegar, and tamari, and bring to a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until thickened slightly. Continue to cook, uncovered, if a thicker sauce is desired. Store sauce in airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy leftover sauce on grain bowls and steamed greens throughout the week.
- For tartines, toast bread and place on warmed platter or plates. Spread each slice with mayonnaise and add avocado half to each slice of bread; smash avocado onto bread with fork, or thinly slice avocado and fan out. On top of avocado, add tomatoes, cut side up, followed by a drizzle of umami sauce and sprinkle of shichimi togarashi or sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Per serving: 488 calories; 11 g protein; 26 g total fat (5 g sat. fat); 56 g total carbohydrates (10 g sugars, 9 g fiber); 683 mg sodium