California Rusk Roll

When you crave sushi but don't want to pay restaurant prices or make your own rolls, try a California Rusk Roll. This is a perfect light lunch: tastes great and looks pretty.

California Rusk Roll

(one serving: 150 calories)

A crunchy alternative to the traditional California roll.

1 Holland Rusk

1/4 avocado

1 stick (approx. 1 oz) imitation crab meat

1/4 cucumber

1/2 tsp soy sauce

Black pepper or sesame seeds

Spread avocado on rusk. Set aside.

Chop up or shred imitation crab.

Julienne (matchstick cut) cucumber.

Combine imitation crab and cucumber, add soy sauce, and mix lightly.

Spoon the crab and cucumber mixture onto your avocado-topped rusk. Garnish with a sliver of avocado and sprinkle with black pepper or sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Basil Bites

In the afternoon, when I want a light snack to hold me until dinner, this flavorful rusk recipe is just what I crave. It's so easy to prepare, but tastes wonderful and fresh! Basil is my favorite herb and the main ingredient here. There are so many kinds of basil, each with its unique flavor. Some have a lemon note, some a hint of licorice, some a touch of cinnamon--the list goes on. Taste a few types to find your favorite. I find that if I use a lemony basil with this recipe, it tastes more like a dessert.

Basil Bites

(one serving: 65 calories)

The basil and spreadable cheese hold the crumbly rusk together nicely, so there's more crunch for your mouth and fewer crumbs for your shirt.

1 Holland Rusk

1 wedge of Laughing Cow Light Garlic & Herb Cheese

4-8 leaves of fresh basil (to taste)

Ground black pepper

Spread cheese on Holland Rusk. Top with fresh basil leaves. Sprinkle with black pepper. Enjoy!

Spicy Fried Egg on Rusk

I love waking up on a sunny morning knowing I'll soon enjoy an egg on the perfect, crunchy toast of a Holland Rusk. Today's recipe is Spicy Fried Egg on Holland Rusk. It takes minutes to make and is far more satisfying than a bowl of cold cereal. Eat it with a fork or with your fingers (the beauty of many Holland Rusk recipes).

Spicy Fried Egg on Rusk

(one serving: 100 calories)

A Texas Pete addict as well as a Holland Rusk enthusiast, I eat this for breakfast a couple times a week. It's tasty, low-calorie, and very quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

1 Holland Rusk

1 Large Egg

A splash of Texas Pete, Tabasco sauce, or your favorite hot sauce

Salt and pepper

Spray a non-stick frying pan with cooking spray. Warm the pan to a medium-low heat.

Crack your egg into the pan. When the egg starts truning white, splash with hot sauce (to taste). Flip the egg, keeping the yolk intact. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Before the yolk cooks through, remove egg from pan and place on top of rusk. With a fork, puncture the egg yolk from the bottom and allow it to soak into rusk.

Great served with a side of bacon (about 80 extra calories for two slices)! Enjoy!

May I Introduce . . .

Holland Rusk is a round, crunchy, crumbly toast native to The Netherlands and produced by Reese. If you can't find Holland Rusk at a store near you, you can purchase it online at http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Holland-Rusk-3-5-Ounce-Units/dp/B000FEDHHE

A case of twelve packs sells for around $30.00. Twelve packs will last you quite some time, even if, like me, you eat your rusks twice a day, every day. But have no fear! These toast-treats will stay good a long time.

This blog explores the many delicious uses of the humble Holland Rusk--from savory sushi-inspired California Rusk Rolls to sweet Rusk Tiramisu. Follow along and enjoy creating simple light meals, desserts, and snacks with this versatile food. Each recipe is easy to prepare and uses as few ingredients as possible. Most dishes are ready in under ten minutes!

I generally use Holland Rusk when making fast eats for myself; still, while most of the recipes on this blog give instructions for single-servings, they should be easy to make for groups of two-four as well.