This year is the first summer that I’ve (successfully) grown tomatoes. It’s been a journey of figuring out sprinkler timers and fighting hungry bugs, but when I look at my little pile of fresh, organic, homegrown tomatoes on the counter, I know it’s all worth it!

Of course, as anyone with a garden will tell you, it’s a double-edged sword: doing your job right will give you a nice crop, but that also means you’re almost guaranteed too many to know what to do with.

So that’s why I’m glad Elana came up with this tomato basil toast recipe!

I wouldn’t have ever thought to put tomatoes on my morning toast—although it’s absurdly simple, healthy, and so very easy to put together. I wish I’d known about this sooner!

Tomatoes: A Superfood Worth Eating Every Day

I grew up believing raw tomatoes were gross. My dad would always order his hamburgers stipulating that there not be any tomatoes “even in the same zip code,” so I’m sure I learned that opinion from him.

But of course, since it was introduced to the world from its origins in Aztec cuisine, tomatoes have become the unsung heroes of many staple recipes of the world—from marinara, to salsa, to shakshuka, to kebabs, to matar paneer, to ratatouille and beyond!

I mean seriously, what dish isn’t improved by tomatoes??

And it’s not just the flavor that tomatoes have to offer. They have many health benefits, including heart health, cancer prevention, and even better skin!

Tomatoes are a great dietary source of:

Vitamin C, which supports immunity and tissue growth
Potassium, which is important for blood pressure control and heart disease prevention
Folate, which helps with cell function and tissue growth. Folate is especially important for pregnant women.
Vitamin K, which is helpful for bone health and preventing blood clotting
Lycopene, an antioxidant linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer
Naringenin, a flavonoid in the tomato skin that’s been shown to decrease inflammation

So with all the benefits and flavor tomatoes can provide, what better vegetable—well, technically fruit, but who cares—to eat first thing in the day?

How to Make Tomato Basil Toast

One of the best things about this tomato toast recipe is that it’s easy and quick to make. Simply:

Grab a medium bowl and toss grape tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar together.
Pour your delicious mixture onto a slice of toast and sprinkle salt on top.
Serve immediately with avocado slices, tofu scramble, and/or breakfast potatoes.

That’s it! Super simple and fast—and extremely customizable. Personally, I like to put mashed avocado underneath the tomato mixture for an elevated avocado toast (and apparently eating tomatoes and avocadoes together boosts the nutrient absorption of lycopene, so it’s a win-win).

This savory breakfast recipe is perfect for those rushed mornings or lazy weekend days where you want something nutritious and filling, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen! (That’s me… every day.)

Try this tomato basil toast with a side of tofu scramble, breakfast potatoes, and a matcha latte—and don’t forget to tag us on IG @plum_savory with your lovely creations!

Cheers,
Nicole 💕