Love Brunch? Try Natto and Avocado Toast

Meet your new brunch obsession: natto and avocado toast. 🥑 This dish blends creamy avocado with the savory, umami-rich flavor of fermented soybeans, known as natto. Now, you might have heard that natto is an acquired taste. But this recipe makes natto delicious and easy for anyone to enjoy on their toast. You’re not alone in exploring foods like natto!

Did you know? The market for fermented foods like natto is growing fast! North America’s market alone is valued at USD 320 million, showing more people are loving the benefits of natto.

WHY TRY THIS BRUNCH TWIST

So, you’re curious about what makes this toast so special. This brunch isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience for your taste buds and a boost for your body. You get to try something new that is both exciting and incredibly good for you.

A Unique Flavor Experience

Let’s talk about flavor. The magic of natto and avocado toast lies in its perfect balance. Creamy, mild avocado is the ideal partner for the complex taste of natto. Natto itself has a deep, savory flavor that food lovers often describe with exciting words.

• It has earthy umami notes.
• Some compare its taste to an “earthy bacon flavor.”
• Others simply call it “delightfully savory.”

When you mix natto with avocado, the strong flavors mellow out, creating a smooth and satisfying taste. Adding a splash of soy sauce or some chopped scallions enhances this pairing even more. This recipe offers one of the most delicious ways to enjoy natto for the first time.

A Nutritional Powerhouse

This toast does more than just taste good; it powers your day. The natto benefits are truly impressive. First, natto is packed with probiotics. A single serving can contain up to 1 trillion colony-forming units (CFUs) of Bacillus subtilis, a beneficial bacteria that supports a healthy gut.

One of the biggest natto benefits is its incredible Vitamin K2 content, which is vital for bone and heart health. A small serving of natto provides a huge amount of this nutrient.

Natto Type	MK-7 per 50g serving (micrograms)
Regular Natto	387.5 µg
Reinforced Natto (MK-7 x 1.5)	649 µg
Reinforced Natto (MK-7 x 2)	882.5 µg

Combine these benefits with the healthy fats and fiber from the avocado and whole-grain bread, and you have a brunch that energizes you for hours.

MAKING NATTO AND AVOCADO TOAST

Ready to build your new favorite brunch? Making this dish is simple, and you only need a few key items. Let’s walk through the steps for one of the most unique natto recipes you’ll ever try.

Choose Your Core Ingredients

Getting the right ingredients is the first step to success. You want components that are fresh and sturdy enough to hold up.

• The Bread: You need a solid foundation for your toppings. A flimsy slice of bread will just get soggy. Choose a bread with a good, firm structure.

  • Rye Sourdough Bread
  • Thick-cut whole-grain bread
  • A rustic country loaf

• The Avocado: Finding the perfect avocado is an art! You’re looking for one that is ripe enough to be creamy but not mushy. A Hass avocado is a great choice. Its skin should be a dark green, almost black color, with a pebbly texture. Gently squeeze it in your palm; it should feel firm but yield just a little. Another great tip is to flick off the small stem cap. If it comes off easily and you see green underneath, you’ve found a winner.

• The Natto: This is the star of the show. You can find natto in the refrigerated or frozen section of most Asian markets. If you don’t have one nearby, you can easily find it online at stores like Weee! which deliver nationwide.

Which Natto Should You Buy? You might see a few different kinds of natto. The two most common are:

• Otsubu (Large Bean): Made with larger, whole soybeans. It has a chewier texture and a deeper, more intense flavor.
• Hikiwari (Crushed Bean): Made from crushed soybeans. It has a smoother texture, a milder taste, and is often easier for beginners to enjoy. For your first time, hikiwari might be the way to go!

How to Prepare Natto

Opening a package of natto for the first time can be an adventure. Here is a simple guide on how to prepare natto. Inside the styrofoam container, you’ll find the fermented soybeans, often covered by a thin plastic film. You will also find two small packets: a tare (sauce) and karashi (spicy mustard). The tare is usually a mix of soy sauce, mirin, and dashi, while the karashi is a simple but potent mustard paste.

1. Stir Vigorously: First, remove the plastic film. Use chopsticks or a fork to stir the natto at least 20-30 times. You’ll see it become incredibly sticky and stringy—this is called neba-neba, and it’s a sign you’re doing it right! This step is key to learning how to enjoy natto.
2. Add the Seasonings: Open the tare and karashi packets and pour them over the natto.
3. Mix Again: Stir everything together until the sauce is fully incorporated. The stickiness might seem a little less intense now.

Tip on How to Make Natto Taste Good: If you’re worried about the strong aroma, try mixing in some finely chopped green onions or a tiny drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. These additions help mellow the flavor and make it even more delicious.

Assemble Your Toast

Now for the fun part—putting it all together! This is where you create your masterpiece.

1. Toast Your Bread: To avoid a soggy mess, you need your bread to be crispy. A great trick is to toast only one side. You can do this by placing your bread slice on a baking sheet under the broiler or in a hot, dry skillet. Toast until it’s golden brown and firm. Let it cool for a minute.
2. Prepare the Avocado: You have a choice here. You can either mash the avocado directly onto the toast for a creamy base or dice it into small chunks for more texture. Many people prefer diced avocado with natto. For a good starting ratio, try using half of a large avocado for one package of natto.
3. Layer It Up: Spread or sprinkle your avocado onto the toasted side of the bread. Then, spoon your prepared natto mixture right on top.

And that’s it! You’ve just made a delicious and incredibly nutritious natto and avocado toast. This simple process is the best answer to the question of how to eat natto.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR CREATION

The basic natto and avocado toast is fantastic on its own, but the real fun begins when you start to customize it. Think of your toast as a blank canvas. These simple additions are delicious ways to enjoy natto and take your brunch to the next level. Let’s explore some easy and tasty recipes.

Add Some Spice

If you like a little heat, you have plenty of options that pair perfectly with natto. A sprinkle of a Japanese seven-spice blend is a great place to start.

• Shichimi Togarashi: This blend adds a kick of heat with chili flakes, sesame seeds, and nori. It creates an explosion of taste that contrasts beautifully with the creamy avocado.

You can use Shichimi Togarashi on almost anything, from steamed veggies to popcorn. It’s a versatile seasoning to keep in your pantry!

You can also add a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce. A little sriracha adds a bold flavor that works in perfect harmony with the natto. For a fresh kick, try adding about half a teaspoon of finely chopped jalapeño or serrano peppers.

Boost the Creaminess

Want an even richer and creamier texture? Try spreading a thin layer of soft cheese on your toast before adding the avocado and natto. This simple step adds a wonderful tangy flavor that complements the savory natto. Some great choices include:

• Whipped cream cheese
• Goat cheese
• Ricotta

Add Toppings and Seasonings

The right garnish can make all the difference. These toppings add new flavors, textures, and a beautiful finishing touch to your toast. Many natto recipes use classic Japanese garnishes. You can sprinkle on some kizami nori (shredded seaweed) for a salty, oceanic flavor.

Another fantastic option is bonito flakes. These dried, fermented fish flakes add a deep umami flavor and an irresistible smoky note. For a fresh, vibrant finish, scatter some chopped fresh herbs on top. Chives are a perfect choice, as they add a light onion scent and make your dish look extra special.

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You now see why natto and avocado toast is a fantastic brunch option. It’s unique, healthy, and fully customizable. This recipe is one of the most delicious ways to enjoy natto. Exploring natto is a simple way to make your meals more exciting. The health benefits of natto are incredible, and this recipe makes natto approachable for everyone. Why stick to the same old brunch when you can try natto?

Give this exciting brunch twist a try this weekend and discover your new favorite toast. 🥑

FAQ

Have a few more questions about natto? You’re not alone! Here are some common questions people have when trying natto for the first time.

What if I don’t like the smell of natto?

The unique smell of natto can be strong at first. This recipe helps a lot! The creamy avocado balances the natto aroma. Mixing the natto with its sauce packet also mellows the scent, making your first experience with natto much more enjoyable.

Is the stickiness of natto normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! That signature stringiness is called neba-neba in Japanese. It’s a sign of high-quality natto and shows the fermentation is perfect. Stirring your natto well brings out this fun texture. Embrace the stickiness—it’s part of the natto adventure! 🥢

Can I eat natto without the included packets?

You absolutely can. The sauce and mustard packets add classic flavor, but you can customize your natto. Try a splash of soy sauce, a little sesame oil, or your favorite seasonings. Making natto your own is part of the fun.

Are there other natto recipes I can try?

Definitely! This toast is a great start. Many simple natto recipes exist. You can mix natto with a bowl of hot rice and a raw egg yolk for a classic Japanese breakfast. Other popular recipes include adding natto to miso soup or pasta.