Eggs Royale Crostini

Shortly after this shot was taken, my teetering tower collapsed into a deconstructed Eggs Royale.

But for that short-lived moment, it was perfect.

👑 Makes 4 crostini

• 1 ripe avocado

• 100g pack smoked salmon (approx. 25g per crostino)

• a few spinach leaves

• 1 egg (hard-boiled)

• extra-virgin olive oil

• salt

• pepper

• chilli flakes (I used Chipotle)

• fresh basil (for garnish)

1. Bubble up a pan of water and hard-boil an egg for 9 minutes.

2. Cut in half an avocado and squeeze to release the stone.

3. Peel your avocado halves and chuck into a bowl.

4. Add a good glug of extra-virgin olive oil and 'smash' it (slice vigorously with a knife into very small pieces). NOTE: don't add salt at this stage, otherwise the avocado will quickly oxidise & turn brown.

5. Peel your egg.

6. You're now ready to build your crostini.

7. Toast your 4 slices of baguette, and give them a rub with raw garlic.

8. 1st layer - a few uncooked, fresh spinach leaves.

9. 2nd layer - spoon on your smashed avocado. (NOTE: before assembling, add salt, pepper, and a dash of chilli flakes to your 'smash'. Give it a mix.)

10. 3rd layer - fold on your smoked salmon.

11. 4th layer - thinly slice your egg and add a slice per crostino.

12. Decorate with a basil leaf and a sprinkle of chilli.

14. Perfetto! A crostino fit for a king.