Harissa Sardine Avocado Toast

Growing up, my father would whip up a sandwich of fresh canned Moroccan sardines and crunchy bread. The fridge was FULL of bright flavors of harissa, citrus, and herbaceous accompaniments.

Now, my dad wasn’t usually the avocado toast kind of foodie (granted, back in the early 2000’s, avocado toast wasn’t THAT popular). This upgrade to your plain avocado toast is inspired by the bright and zest sardine toast my father frequented with the world’s obsession of avocado toast.

Like any good friend group, thre has to be the single most important factor that brings everything together- the mediator, the mutual, the shadowed individual who EVENTUALLY get’s their spotlight. Za’atar is used within the smashed avocado which gives a slightly savory and tangy flavor.

This toast screams of summer. Perfect for a quick snack in between meals, or a full meal for a busy afternoon.

Harissa Sardines & Avocado Toast

INGREDIENTS

Harissa Sasrdines

• 1 large slice of sourdough bread, toasted to your liking

• 1 can of sardines, I like to source mine from Morocco.

• 2 tablespoon harissa

• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

• juice of 1/2 lemon

• 2 garlic clove, minced

• cumin, to taste

• salt and pepper, to taste

Za’atar Avocado Toast

• 1 Hass avocado, mashed

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1/2 tablespoon chopped cilantro

• 1/2 teaspoon za’atar

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/4 teaspoon cumin

• salt, to taste

• Za’atar, for garnish

• Lemon zest, for garnish

• Chopped cilantro, for garnish

• Pomegranate Molasses, for garnish

DIRECTIONS :

1. In a bowl, mash the sardines (or chickpeas, if using) until flaky. Add the harissa, cilantro, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper (to taste). Mix until combined and evenly coated. Set aside.

2. Mash the avocado with the za’atar, cilantro, garlic powder, cumin, and salt (to taste). Add about a tablespoon of lemon juice.

3. Toast your sourdough (or bread of choice). I prefer to have mine extra toasted as the moisture from the avocado/sardines will soften the bread a bit.

4. Add the smashed avocado. Top the toast with the harissa sardines.

5. Garnish with pomegranate molasses, chopped cilantro, and freshly zested lemon.

6. Dive in!