Avocado and Marmite on toast (a homage to the black stuff)

Ok, so I can't call this cooking, it is more of an amalgamation of a handful of ingredients (well, isn't all cooking, really?). If you have never tried avocado and Marmite together, DO IT NOW! Alright, so Marmite has the whole love/hate thing going on, therefore it may not be to everyone's taste. But if you are a lover as I am, then the creamy taste of avocado compliments the umami (savory), salty taste of Marmite incredibly well.

I read a while ago about a professor coming up with the theory that if we send Marmite to the Middle East, it could bring peace to the Arab-Israeli conflict due to the high zinc content it possesses. You can find the article HERE. It was also on the BBC show QI if you prefer Stephen Fry to charm you with the story (as I unequivocally do).

Whilst on my hunt for Marmite trivia, I also stumbled across THIS very interesting article. After the March 2012 earthquake in Christchurch NZ, one of the cooling towers in the only Marmite factory in New Zealand got damaged, forcing the factory to close. This in turn caused a shortage in Marmite, causing panic buying, with the media sparking the term 'MARMAGEDDON'. They offered advice such as only rationing your Marmite usage to once a day, and only using it on toast so it spreads thinner and ultimately lasts longer. Oh Marmite, what a life it would be without you.

Anyway... try this recipe, it's yummy!

Avocado and Marmite on toast

Serves 1 
2 x good quality wholemeal/ multi seeded bread
Butter (or dairy free alternative)
Marmite (to taste)
1/2 ripe avocado
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh basil leaves, torn
Spinach
Cherry tomatoes

1. Toast the bread 
2. Once toasted, butter one side of the toast and spread the Marmite to you taste. Due to the creaminess of the avocado, you can definitely apply a little more Marmite than usual, as the avocado neutrilises the strong flavour of the Marmite.
3. Split the avocado into half, and mash it up to make a kind of spread.
4. Spread the avocado onto the toast.
5. Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper on top and scatter the basil leaves on top.
6. Wash the spinach and quarter the cherry tomatoes, and add as a side salad.