Avocado Toast with Asparagus and White Beans is both a healthy breakfast or lunch option, and it comes together very quickly! What more can you ask for?
Insomnia has plagued me for years. I often struggle to fall asleep (and have tried every solution you could possibly suggest, trust me).
There are phases of morning insomnia where I wake up at 4:30am and ultimately get out of bed, knowing it’s a lost cause as my brain races with random, disconnected thoughts.
Some nights I never truly fall asleep, and am doomed to an endless stretch of on-again/off-again dozing. Other times, I’ll wake up from a deep slumber to my subconscious playing the stupidest songs at top volume, or sharing an unpleasant memory from my past.
My subconscious can be extremely rude. She’ll wake me up in the middle of the night to yell about obnoxious things. “YOU ALWAYS LEAVE THE CLOSET DOOR OPEN. WHY DON’T YOU EVER CLOSE THE CLOSET?” Errrrr… sorry, brain.
This isn’t all the time. Sometimes I sleep very deeply through the entire night. Then there are dreams. I have the most colorful, vivid dreams.
Nighttime is an alternate universe, where I can recall places and experiences from past dreams to help me navigate my way through new scenarios. I can’t remember details when I wake up aside from quick déjà vu flashes if something sparks my memory.
I’ll get more specific visions of my dream world as my head hits the pillow before bed, but I’m too lazy at that point to write anything down. Does anyone else experience this? Do I sound completely insane?
Every now and then, the nightmare loops happen. Thankfully these are rare, because they’re the worst.
Something will startle me while I’m dreaming, usually a loud noise, and I’ll wake up with chills down my spine. In my bed, in my room. Only I’m not actually awake. And then something else will startle me (possibly the realization that I’m still dreaming) and I’ll wake up again.
Suddenly, it will happen again, over and over again, until I’m frozen. It’s like a scene out of a movie. When I finally wake up for real, I usually have to get out of bed for awhile. I don’t want to chance falling back into that cycle of hell again.
Over the years, a few people have suggested that I look into sleep studies. I’m inclined to think that I simply have an overactive brain which is, um, enriched due to some medicine I’ve been on for a long time. I have no plans to change my medication, so this is how things are. Nighttime remains an eventful experience.
Seriously though, I wasn’t planning on sharing any of that; it just spilled out. Originally, my plan was to write what I love about this simple recipe.
I’m tacking that on at the end without bothering to find a connection. I don’t think there is one, unless my subconscious is messing with me again.
Maybe the connection is that simple food is comfort food, and comfort food calms my troubled soul? I’m kidding.
Bottom line – I struggle to find easy lunches in the middle of busy workdays, and this fits the bill. It comes together quickly, and it’s full of healthy fats and what not.
Looking For More Avocado Recipes?
Check out my Creamy Avocado Pasta, Chilled Tomatillo Avocado Soup, and Sweet Potato, Apple and Avocado Salad!
Avocado Toast with Asparagus and White Beans
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread, toasted (see notes)
- 2 avocados
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
- 1/2-1 cup canned white beans
- 16-20 asparagus spears (use less if they’re thick)
- Optional: crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Slice the avocados in half, discarding the pits. Scoop the flesh into a medium sized bowl and mash along with the lime juice and salt, adjusting the seasoning level according to personal preference.
- Divide the mashed avocado between the 4 slices of bread. (Alternately, you can serve up 1 portion at a time. Simply cover the bowl with plastic film; it will keep in the refrigerator for several days).
- Top each slice with white beans.
- Remove and discard the tough ends from the asparagus. Wrap in 2 layers of damp paper towels and place on a microwave-safe dish. Microwave for 3-4 minutes, or until the asparagus is crisp-tender. Top each slice of avocado toast with 4-5 slices of steamed asparagus.
- Sprinkle each toast lightly with some additional salt and, if using, a bit of crushed red pepper to taste.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
Rachel says
I’ve been plagued with insomnia since I was a kid too. It sucks. I can relate to just about everything there, except for dreams and nightmares. I hardly ever remember my dreams. And thankfully I don’t get stuck in a nightmare loop like that, but when I have nightmares, they tend to be rather intensely vivid, and I can recall every detail about them. I still remember one I had about a year before I left my last job – I was on Mars or some other planet without an atmosphere, and was being crushed by a giant rover/tank. I woke up from that one gasping for air and freaking out because I thought I was dying. When I told a fellow coworker about it, he laughed. That aside, that toast looks amazing – I absolutely love how vividly green it is.
Gina says
I don’t struggle to the same extent but have bouts of insomnia from time to time which literally make me so crazy that I can’t sleep I want to cry. I was awake at 5am today knowing it was a lost cause to even try to fall back asleep. Want to know what annoys me the most about that? Having to deal with my grumbling stomach since I’m awake 2-3 extra hours than normal! ha.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I always have quite vivid dreams too Jennifer, especially if I eat dinner too late. I don’t know why. My husband thinks it’s so funny how I can recall every last detail of almost every dream. I love this avo toast. So nice and hearty with the asparagus and white beans. Perfect for lunch, dinner or snacking!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Insomnia is no joke. . oh my goodness, I am so sorry that you have been dealing with this. I would agree with the sleep studies or sleep centers. . look into them! I don’t think I would be able to function if I couldn’t sleep! Jennifer! :(
Matt says
I’m loving this for breakfast, lunch or even brinner!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
That shot of the avocado is insanely gorgeous <3
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Super lovely. I like the red pepper kick with all that luscious creaminess!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I wish my avocado toast looked this good when I made it! I LOVE that white bean addition!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
Your toast game is strong!!
Brandy | Nutmeg Nanny says
I also go through phases of insomnia. It’s a never ending cycle. I love the addition of the asparagus!
Tieghan says
Love this fresh take on avocado toast. The asparagus and beans sound awesome!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I’m totally making this for lunch. And breakfast. Ans afternoon snack. Ok, I’m going to have this all day, every day.
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
Also, I can’t imagine going through that. It sounds debilitating. The only sleep thing I’ve had, and it’s gone on for a while, is that when I’m first getting to sleep I will sometimes have a moment where I feel like I’m falling, which terrifies me and wakes me up.
2pots2cook says
So beautiful photos ! Thank you for the idea !