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This vibrant toast transforms humble ingredients into a gourmet experience. Creamy avocado meets golden-brown halloumi glazed in sweet-spicy honey, all layered on garlic-infused sourdough for an explosion of complementary flavors that elevate brunch to art form.
I first created this recipe when entertaining friends who claimed they'd "seen it all" with avocado toast. The combination of caramelized halloumi with honey and chili silenced the table within seconds of the first bite.
Ingredients
- Halloumi cheese: Acts as the protein star with its unique ability to hold shape while developing a gorgeous golden crust
- Honey: Creates a sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the cheese
- Chili flakes: Provide the perfect amount of heat that balances the sweetness
- Sourdough bread: Offers the ideal sturdy yet airy base that can support multiple toppings
- Garlic confit: Transforms regular garlic into sweet buttery cloves that spread like a dream
- Avocado: Provides the creamy foundation that brings everything together
- Olive oil: Helps achieve the perfect toast and adds richness to the confit
- Lemon juice: Brightens the entire dish and prevents oxidation of the avocado
- Sesame seeds: Add a nutty finish and visual interest to the final presentation
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Confit:
- Preheat oven to 250°F. Place peeled garlic cloves in a small oven safe dish and cover completely with olive oil. This slow cooking process transforms harsh raw garlic into sweet mellow cloves that will spread like butter. Bake for 2 hours until cloves are completely tender when pierced with a fork. Allow to cool completely before using.
- Toast the Bread:
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Place sourdough slices in the pan and toast for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deep golden brown with a satisfying crunch around the edges but still slightly tender in the center. The contrast between crisp exterior and slightly chewy interior creates the perfect textural foundation.
- Prepare the Halloumi:
- Slice halloumi into 1/4 inch thick pieces and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels. Heat a clean pan over medium heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Place halloumi slices in hot oil without overcrowding and cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook another 2 minutes. Pour honey lemon mixture over cheese and add chili flakes and sesame seeds. Gently toss cheese in this mixture until it begins to caramelize slightly around the edges.
- Assemble Your Masterpiece:
- Smash several garlic confit cloves onto each piece of toast creating an even layer. Fan avocado slices across the garlic layer adding a small pinch of salt. Arrange the caramelized halloumi over the avocado and drizzle with any remaining pan sauce. Finish with an additional drizzle of chili oil for color and heat.
The garlic confit completely transformed my cooking beyond just this recipe. I now keep a jar in my refrigerator constantly ready to spread on toast make instant garlic bread or add to pasta dishes. The effort is minimal but the payoff is enormous.
Make Ahead Options
The beauty of this recipe lies in how components can be prepared separately. Garlic confit can be made days in advance and stored in the refrigerator you'll find endless uses for leftovers. The bread can be toasted an hour ahead and simply warmed before serving. Only the halloumi and final assembly need to happen just before eating ensuring the temperature contrast that makes this dish special.
Customize Your Toast
This recipe welcomes personal touches based on what you have available. No halloumi? Try feta though it won't have the same chewy texture. Substitute goat cheese for a tangier profile. For the bread pumpernickel offers earthy notes while ciabatta provides more pockets for the garlic confit to settle into. Vegetable additions like sliced radishes microgreens or pickled red onions add brightness and crunch.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this toast as the star of a weekend brunch alongside a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. For a more substantial meal pair with a light tomato soup or roasted vegetable soup. When entertaining cut finished toasts into smaller pieces for elegant appetizers that disappear quickly. A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling Prosecco makes the perfect beverage pairing.
The Cultural Fusion
This recipe represents a beautiful cultural blend Mediterranean halloumi meets Mexican inspired chili oil while French garlic confit techniques elevate the entire experience. The combination showcases how global ingredients can create something entirely new and irresistible. While not traditional to any single cuisine the flavors harmonize perfectly showing that culinary boundaries are meant to be crossed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I make garlic confit?
To make garlic confit, place peeled garlic cloves in an oven-safe saucepan and cover them with olive oil. Bake at 250°F for about 2 hours until soft and tender. Let it cool before using.
- → Can I use a different cheese instead of halloumi?
Yes, you can substitute halloumi with other firm cheeses like paneer or queso fresco. However, halloumi’s distinct firmness and ability to fry without melting make it the ideal choice.
- → Can I make the toast ahead of time?
It's best to assemble and serve the toast immediately for maximum freshness and texture. However, you can prepare components like garlic confit and fry the halloumi in advance.
- → What kind of bread works best for this dish?
Sourdough is highly recommended for its crisp texture and tangy flavor, but any bread that toasts well, like ciabatta or a baguette, will work as well.
- → How can I adjust the spice level?
To reduce spice, lower the amount of chili flakes in the honey glaze and skip the chili oil drizzle. Conversely, you can add more chili flakes or use hot pepper oil for additional heat.
- → Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this dish is completely vegetarian. To make it vegan, replace the halloumi with tofu and use maple syrup instead of honey.