It works for any occasion: breakfast or brunch, a quick lunch, light supper, a snack for any reason. Something on toast ... Words, Nigel Slater says, to carve on his tombstone. He’s a fan, whether infusing cream with shells for a perfect prawn topping or whisking up his brilliant lemon curd. Also making our top 20 are Georgia Levy’s devilled mushrooms, Amy Newsome’s baked-bean twist and Laura Goodman’s ricotta and hot honey. There’s Mat Lindsay’s Aussie take on anchovy toast, and tomatoes in creme fraiche from Joe Woodhouse. Just leave room for a slice with Rebecca Bishop’s cherry amaretto jam. Hot honey and ricotta on toast recipe by Laura Goodman Just add zesty orange juice and a few chilli flakes for a tongue-tingling topping (pictured above) Bruschetta of lentils, balsamic cream and salami recipe by Paul Flynn With its rich topping, a kick of vinegar and spicy cured sausage, this tasty combination is pure comfort Fennel, tomato and sardine toasts recipe by Flora Shedden A straightforward staple that lends itself to almost endless adaptations Nigel Slater’s prawn toast recipe Celebrate the magic that happens when you mix prawns with cream and dill Recipe for miso brown butter scrambled eggs by Sophie Godwin Fermented flavours bring the humble egg to life Georgia Levy’s recipe for creamy devilled mushrooms on toast with a fried egg Forget the kidneys and cover mushrooms with the classic spicy sauce instead Tomatoes cooked in creme fraiche with mint on toast recipe by Joe Woodhouse Any tomato will do for this perfect light lunch Anchovies on toast recipe by Mat Lindsay Could this classic be the greatest combination of all time? Truffled leek rarebit recipe by Lucy Cuthbert and Betty Cuthbert For a touch of midwinter magic, try pepping up the humble leek Gill Meller’s recipe for aubergine on toast with basil, pumpkin seeds and chilli Roast your aubergines whole in the oven for a variation on baba ganoush Lamb tartare with pickled cucumbers and amba recipe by Oded Oren A dish that’s super-quick but rich and complex at the same time Avocado and tahini roasted chickpeas recipe by Emily Kydd Contrast the smoothness of avocado with a kick of cumin and paprika Broken beans recipe by Amy Newsome Open a can and create this sweet, smoky and restorative bean dish in a few simple steps Ravinder Bhogal’s recipe for nori-salata toasts A vegan take on taramasalata, where seaweed flakes do the heavy lifting Nigel Slater’s recipe for creamed butter beans and spinach on toast A light lunch that combines pickled onion with creamy beans and blue cheese Angela Hartnett’s recipe for confit garlic and goat’s curd toast The best olive oil and the freshest garlic intermingle to make this first-rate confit Kaya coconut jam recipe by Mandy Yin This traditional Malaysian condiment can be made in less than half an hour Nigel Slater’s recipe for lemon curd This little jar of sunshine couldn’t be easier to make at home Chocolate toast with olive oil and sea salt recipe by Claire Thomson Use the finest quality chocolate when it’s time for a devilish snack – best consumed late at night Cherry amaretto jam recipe by Rebecca Bishop Gift it or keep this flavoursome jam for yourself – frozen cherries work just as well