Passport for Your Palate-Avocado Toast

No comments

Where did Avocado Toast come from?

If you look up the history of avocado toast, you will see various claims from Sydney to New York and a few places in between, saying they were the first to bring this Instagram sensation to the table. There are even notes pointing to the origin in Mexico, where the growth of avocados is most known for and started as avocado on a tortilla. No matter where this creation began, which we can assume was more than a century ago; the delicacy has become a favorite worldwide. I often order it from the menu and certainly duplicate it at home. In fact, it is one of my youngest daughter’s daily routines to begin her day with avocado toast. 

Avocado toast can is either with a mash or sliced bits of this smooth, creamy fruit. It may have eggs on top or stand on its own. It can be fancy with additional details of seeds, sprouts, truffles, and so much more. There doesn’t seem to be a wrong way to enjoy it. 

At home, we like to make it with a mash and add the eggs. I know I will always have these basics on hand, and when I go out, I sample all the incredible chef creations. I recently had an avocado toast in Austin, Texas, that had sprouts and pepitas with goat cheese topped with eggs over easy. The toast pictured was eaten in Washington, D.C., and used quail eggs and truffles. I’ve eaten it in Europe and of course my beloved Australia. Today, I will share our simple, quick take that will have you seated and eating in minutes. 

How to Make Avocado Toast

Ingredients:

1 small to medium ripe avocado

1-2 slices of bread. We use gluten-free due to my daughter’s dietary needs, but your favorite bread will do. I prefer thick multi-grain bread with seeds in it. 

1-2 large brown organic eggs. If you have fresh from the farm eggs, that is even better. 

Coarse ground black pepper

Pink Himalayan Sea Salt

Lemon Olive Oil. We use California Meyer Lemon Olive Oil.

Directions:

  1. Bring a small pot of water to boil. Add the eggs and cook for 5 minutes. You can opt to poach or fry, but we like a quick, easy, soft boil. Run under cool water and set aside. 
  2. Cut the avocado in half. Remove the pit and scoop out one-half of the avocado into a small bowl. Mash the avocado with the back of the fork or an avocado masher—season with sea salt and pepper.  
  3. Toast your bread. While bread is toasting, gently peel your eggs. 
  4. Spread toast with your mash. Drizzle lightly with some of the lemon oil. Place egg on top of toast and cut the egg in half to expose the yolk. Hopefully, it is nice and runny. 
  5. Season with additional salt or pepper as desired. Or add some of your other favorite seasonings, such as hot red pepper flakes or seeds. 

Enjoy! It serves 1 to 2 depending on how much you want to indulge. 


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslPassport for Your Palate-Avocado Toast
read more

Personal Review-Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt

No comments

I had the fun of making a quick trip to Austin, Texas for, a long weekend. The hotel pick, Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt. One of the draws to this was the architecture with light fixtures made from musical instruments throughout the property. A visit to their website will do better picture justice than I could do. The hotel had many other things I look for, from views to dining, to the amenities.


Here is a breakdown of my take on the Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt.

Location-Located in what is known as the Rainey district is not far from the live music venues. One could easily walk to catch the entertainment from within the hotel to as close as across the street. It was an easy walk if you chose to go downtown or get there even more quickly with a Lyft or Uber. 

Rooms-It is a 16-floor hotel offering a variety of room types. I can recommend you choose one of the lake view room categories. I thoroughly enjoyed sitting at the large window looking out over the water and cityscape while enjoying a glass of champagne. The bedding was comfortable, plenty of dresser and storage space for unpacking, and a nice large bathroom with two sinks. There was a refrigerator and robes. Room service is available during select hours from Geraldine’s. Not necessarily issues, but oddities were there was no coffee maker, and the shower design was a half glass vertical partition. 

Amenities-Hotel had two dining options, live music, rooftop pool with a bar, almost making it unnecessary to leave. I enjoyed Cafe 65 daily for my morning cup of tea, hit The Pool Deck several times, and ate at Geraldine’s one night to not only enjoy the cuisine but the live music. The whole place had a great vibe, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves to the fullest. Be sure to make reservations at Geraldine’s and for most fine dining if you want to go somewhere specific. For the pool, like most anything, you need to be the early bird to catch the worm. Lounge chairs and those with umbrellas are limited. I suggest getting down by 11 am. The pool does have the option of cabana rentals which seemed to be very popular with some birthday and wedding guests. The hotel did have a gym which I did not make it to, and bikes for exploring.

On the whole, I enjoyed this hotel. I would recommend it for most travelers looking for a stay in Austin, TX. And to top off, the great feel of this place was the friendly staff. It was a real show of southern hospitality from the doorman to the concierge, the barista, and the poolside waitress. There wasn’t a single person that didn’t serve with a smile and upbeat attitude. I certainly would consider staying here again. 


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslPersonal Review-Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt
read more