Sunshine Toast

Like dopamine dressing, but for bread. 🌞

It’s amazing how satisfying it can be to sculpt, and then quickly devour, an edible work of art. Sunshine toast is a mix of beauty, flavour, and nutrients that are guaranteed to brighten your day. The method is simple: source the best bread you can find, cut yourself a nice thick slice, toast to your liking, and top with ingredients that were naturally ripened under the golden rays of the sun. The juicier, plumper, and more colourful the pile, the better.

You can think of it like dopamine dressing—the 2022 fashion trend that’s said to boost your mood—but in this case, you’ll be dressing your bread.

I mentioned last week that I wanted to try eating more seasonally. With a thriving farmers market culture here in Victoria, it wasn’t hard to source some incredible ingredients. One might imagine unloading their big canvas tote full of local produce into a salad bowl, but I’m more of a bread-vessel over lettuce-vessel kind of gal. So I piled my bounties high, mixed in a few pantry items, and ended up with some delicious flavour combos. It’s been a tasty week to say the least.

I hope these vibrant plates inspire you to eat more sun soaked goodies from your local area. Here’s to summer’s beautiful abundance and all the sunshine toast options it provides.

The Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

Coconut yogurt mixed with a good squeeze of fresh lemon, peach slices, passion fruit, basil leaves, chopped pistachios, and calendula petals.

The Picnic Basket

Freshly made pine nut + basil pesto, diced watermelon, mint leaves, and chili flakes.

The Butterfly Kiss

Ricotta swirled with wildflower honey, fresh figs, chopped walnuts, balsamic vinegar, rosemary dust, cracked pepper, and blue cornflower petals.

La Rucola e Pomodoro

Heirloom tomatoes, arugula, finely grated parmigiano-reggiano, maldon salt, cracked pepper, basil leaves, and lots of extra virgin olive oil.

Of course, these toast recipes rely on a solid bread foundation to build upon. May I suggest an organic sourdough from a wood or brick fired oven. I have a standing order at my favourite bakery in town and will not be caught without some on hand (or in the freezer). I’m actually the person who packs this bread in my suitcase when we travel or visit family. Nope, I do not mess around when it comes to toast.

What does your ideal sunshine toast have on it?
Do any of my options strike your fancy?

I’m thinking something with strawberry and rhubarb needs to happen next. Thanks so much for being here (while I pretend I’m a food stylist). It means a lot.

Ciao ciao,