Toast, Mastered: 3 Delectably Crusty Recipes from Curtis Stone

While toast (with a cup of coffee) is all I eat on many hectic mornings, it's also something I rely on at any time of day. A grilled piece of bread is an edible plate that can be loaded with just about any food you're crazy for, whether it's mashed avocado with a bit of salt and hot sauce or one of my topping ideas here. You can dress it up as an hors d'oeuvre for a cocktail party or make it an ultracasual dinner in front of the TV. And toasts are especially enticing in summer, when we want things simple and easy. All you'll need are ingredients you can find at your local grocery store and, of course, a loaf of bread that's ready to be crisped up and heaped with all this tastiness. The result? The greatest thing since...you get the point.

For an irresistible savory-sweet treat, try pan roasting grapes with thyme and then spoon them onto some chewy multigrain generously slathered with mascarpone.

Get the recipe: Pan-Roasted Grape and Mascarpone Toast

Have a few ripe tomatoes on hand? Grate them into a juicy mess, slice some spicy Serrano chilies and mound it all on thick country-style bread with a sprinkling of oregano leaves.

Get the recipe: Tomato Toast with Oregano

Mix balsamic-glazed onions with wilted radicchio, pile them on ciabatta and scatter a few dollops of creamy goat cheese on top.

Get the recipe: Radicchio, Balsamic Onions and Goat Cheese Toast