How to Improvise Toast Like a Michelin-Starred Chef

By Nicole Iizuka
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Iizuka

Occasionally when you play with flavors, something magic happens . . . and this cherry brioche toast is what I created while whipping up breakfast one morning. As I rummaged through my refrigerator looking for something to put on a fresh loaf of brioche, my eyes landed on a wedge of Danish blue cheese. Sure, that sounds good! Maybe I could make a savory sandwich with some smoky bacon or roast turkey. That's when I saw that basket of fresh cherries I'd picked up at the farmers market earlier in the week.

Cherries and cheese! Of course! It seemed like a winning combination, but together they were still a little too sweet. The toast needed a bite to it, something to cut through the creamy blue and add complexity to the sweet fruit. I threw in sliced shallots, a little bit of lemon zest to brighten up the fruit, some thyme (which goes well with the lemon), a sprinkle of parmesan, and I had to finish it off with a drizzle of 14-year-aged balsamic vinegar. This was shaping up to be a beautiful morning.

Cherry Brioche Toast

Cook Time10 Minutes
Yield2 servings

From Nicole Iizuka, POPSUGAR Food

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 slices brioche bread
  • 3 ounces creamy blue cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 shallot, sliced thin
  • 12 cherries, pitted and sliced
  • 1 lemon, zest
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 1 ounce parmesan, shaved
  • 2 teaspoons aged balsamic vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Toast bread until slightly golden brown. Watch carefully as it will burn quickly.

  2. Evenly crumble a layer of blue cheese on each slice of toast. Top with shallots, cherries, lemon zest, thyme leaves, and a sprinkle of parmesan. Drizzle balsamic on top, and serve warm.