Tasty food and conversation are what your guests crave

Many years ago, when I started my food blog (mybizzykitchen.com), I felt that when I entertained I had to go to excessive lengths to impress people with my cooking skills. I wish I were joking when I said that for summer barbecues, I would not only make homemade pickles, but I would make homemade ketchup and mustard as well.

And guess what? I am not sure that anyone cared about that attention to detail. My guests wanted tasty food and conversation, and I suddenly realized that easy, simple, delicious food was the way to go. So now, I no longer slave three days before a summer barbecue to make everything from scratch.

You may think avocado toast was so last year, but I always order it if it's on a menu. I will make your life so much easier, though, because I buy guacamole in a squeezable package. That way, you have the perfect avocado for your toast at the ready, without crossing your fingers if you have picked a ripe avocado at the grocery store.

I have friends that do not like avocado, so that's where bagel toasts come in. I still use the same sourdough bread but used whipped cream cheese as a base for those toasts. Both are equally delicious in my book. Be sure to try out these simple toasts the next time you have company over and watch your guests ooh and ahh - they will never know these took just minutes to put together. That will be our secret.

Each of these toasts serves one, so multiply your ingredients accordingly.

My Bizzy Kitchen runs once a month in Food. Follow Biz Velatini on her blog at mybizzykitchen.com/, on Instagram at instagram.com/mybizzykitchen/?hl=en and Facebook at facebook.com/mybizzykitchen.

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Bruschetta Avocado Toast</b>

1 small Roma tomato, diced

1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

1 teaspoon olive oil

Pinch of salt and pepper

1 teaspoon shaved Parmesan cheese

½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar

1 slice sourdough bread, toasted

2 tablespoons guacamole

1 scrambled egg

Mix the tomato, basil, olive oil, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese and balsamic together. Toast bread. While the bread toasts, make scrambled egg.

To assemble: Top toast with the guacamole, add egg, and spoon bruschetta over the top.

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Classic Avocado Toast</b>

1 slice sourdough bread, toasted

1 fried egg

2 tablespoons guacamole

1 slice bacon, cooked and chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

Toast bread. While the bread toasts, fry egg.

To assemble: Top toast with the guacamole, add egg, sprinkle chopped bacon and parsley over the top, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

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Lox Toast</b>

1 slice sourdough bread

2 tablespoons whipped cream cheese

2 ounces smoked salmon

A few slices of red onion

2 teaspoons chopped chives

Toast bread. Top the bread with the whipped cream cheese, salmon, onion and chives. Add salt and pepper to taste.

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Apple Pecan Toast</b>

1 slice sourdough bread

2 tablespoons whipped cream cheese

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon sugar

1/3 cup sliced apples, sliced thin

1 tablespoon chopped pecans

1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint

1 teaspoon of honey

Toast bread. Mix the whipped cream cheese with the cinnamon and sugar. Spread that mixture on the toast. Top with the sliced apples, pecans, mint and drizzle with the honey.