High Protein Spring Veggie Toasts

So easy you'll hardly need a recipe

Today’s recipe is so easy it may seem too easy, but knowing that hitting protein targets can be a challenge in meat-free meals, I’m going to share it anyway. Plus, it also has a few helpful tricks going on.

We’re making simple toasts that both hit the 30 grams of protein target, and are a vessel for your favorite tender spring vegetables. I’m using asparagus today but it could really be anything, from wilted greens to blanched peas to cherry tomatoes or roasted zucchini.

Re: asparagus — I found beautiful spears at the farmer’s market last week, but was so dismayed when I used the “snap off the woody ends” method and lost 75% of some spears. Then I remembered a workaround I learned from an old Harold McGee article, where by slicing the lower parts of the spears into thin coins, the stringy fibers in the bottom parts get broken up and become more palatable.

Slicing them into thin coins like this also makes asparagus spoonable, and easy to use as a toast topping.

As an extra flavor and protein boost, the assembled toast get a generous sprinkle of a savory pumpkin seed topping. You might recognize this “protein trick” from my Secrets to High Protein Bowls newsletter from last year, where I shared a recipe for hemp heart za’atar. That za’atar would also be good on these toasts!

Secrets to High-Protein Veggie Bowls

Because cottage cheese features prominently as a protein component, I’ve also included a vegan option for a lightly seasoned tofu spread, which is great on these toasts but also a great snack for vegetables and crackers, too.

I hope the recipe is one that effortlessly plugs into your life, as it has mine!

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Thanks so much for taking my survey last week about a potential recipe writing workshop. To clarify, this is something I’d host online rather than in person, and it’d be free for anyone who’s a paid subscriber to this newsletter. Based on the results I think there’s enough interest, so I will be following up to put it on the calendar soon! I was hoping I’d be able to host it right here on Substack, but I’m not sure if their live video capacity allows for interaction — and I’d want this workshop to be interactive. Stay tuned for more soon.

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Easy Protein Toasts with Asparagus Coins and Pumpkin Seed Sprinkle