Toast is as old as human civilization, it was already prepared by the ancient Egyptians to revive stale bread, but it still remains the most versatile and delicious snack, perfect for breakfast or to accompany other meals. You can toast any type of bread in the appropriate appliance, in the oven, on a bonfire and you can add all the ingredients you prefer, according to your tastes. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Using a Toaster
Step 1. Carefully, place each slice of bread in the slots of the appliance
Remove the edges if the bread is too big and make sure they don't come into contact with the heating elements.
If you stick the slices of bread together, the outer edges will burn and the kitchen will stink. Make sure the pieces of bread aren't too big or thick
Step 2. Choose the temperature suitable for the level of roasting you want
Adjust the temperature knob according to the type and thickness of the bread and how dark and crunchy you want it to be. If in doubt, set the toaster to low and, if necessary, bake the bread a second time at a higher temperature.
Toasters, especially cheap ones, are not very reliable as to the degree of "toasting" you can get by adjusting the knob. Many people complain that even at the highest temperatures, multiple cooking stages are required. However, it is best to start with a minimum setting to avoid burning the bread and then increase if necessary
Step 3. Press the down button to start cooking
Check the appliance carefully to make sure that the bread does not burn and carefully remove the slices when they are pushed upwards after roasting.
Method 2 of 6: Using the Oven
Step 1. Place the slices of bread on the oven shelf
The best way to get even toast is to use a convection oven or an electric heater. You can arrange the slices of bread on a baking sheet, over a pan or directly on the wire shelf.
Move the pan or rack to the highest shelf possible when using the oven. It is much better to use a very high temperature for a short time, such as that emitted by the grill; you will use less energy if you place the bread close to the heat source
Step 2. Turn on the oven grill or set the oven temperature
The grill, which gives off heat from the "ceiling" of the oven, is the fastest way to prepare toast. The only problem is that the bread could burn quickly, so you have to pay close attention.
- If you have a gas oven, you will probably have the grill in a separate section and can use it for your toast. The only difference lies in the position, the grill could be under or above the main compartment.
- In resistance ovens, you can set the timer that will turn off the appliance after a certain period of time. Again, monitor the process if you don't know the exact timing and methods of the oven.
Step 3. Use tongs to turn the slices of bread halfway through cooking
If you have placed them on the grill or are using the grill, the up side will be toasted, but the down side will still be soft. When you notice that the top surface is golden, turn the bread over to bake the second side as well.
Step 4. Remove the toast from the oven
Remember that the grill may burn quickly, so take it out of the oven as soon as you notice it is crisp and golden. If not, you risk burning it within a minute.
Method 3 of 6: Using a Frying Pan
Step 1. Place the slice of bread in the pan
To get the best out of this method, you should use a cast iron skillet with no butter, oil or other fat. Simply lay the bread dry and let the heat toast it.
Do you want to add the butter before the bread is completely toasted? Why not! You can lightly fry the bread with butter or oil to get a crisp, golden crust. Some call this version "Texas toast" and it is delicious
Step 2. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat
When the bread is in the pan, simply put it on the stove and heat it. The first side of the slice will take some time to toast, but always monitor the process closely so as not to burn it.
Step 3. Turn the bread over periodically
Use a spatula or kitchen tongs and when the side in contact with the pan is not yet completely toasted, flip the slice. You should do this regularly to make sure the bread is toasted and crunchy on both sides.
Method 4 of 6: Using a Barbecue
Step 1. Heat a barbecue grill over an open flame
One of the most underrated cooking techniques, but absolutely delicious, is roasting over the fire which gives it a crunchy texture as well as a pleasant smoky aroma. After grilling the hamburgers or sausages, try toasting the bread which will also soak up the juices of the meat; alternatively, liven up your camping breakfast with a good smoked toast on the campfire.
If you are using a campfire grill, clean it of any residue with a knife or spatula. There may be rust and scale. First heat the grill on the stove to soften the dirt and then scrape off the charred residue
Step 2. Place the slices of bread or rolls directly on the wire rack
You can lightly grease them with olive oil (if it is a sturdy French bread), so they will become crunchy during cooking, or toast them naturally. Monitor the process because it will be very quick.
Do not close the lid of the barbecue. Roasting is so quick that you don't have to worry about conserving heat. If you are on top of the brazier, stick around and check the bread. It only takes a few seconds for it to burn
Step 3. Turn the slices of bread often
The method of cooking over the barbecue can burn the slices very quickly and sudden flames can be generated; for this reason, they are worth turning frequently, just like when roasting marshmallows. If the bread burns a little, don't worry.
It is difficult to "really" toast bread over an open flame, but smoked scorches are a delicious alternative
Step 4. Try a really rudimentary technique
The first Romans prepared toast by placing slices of bread on the rocks placed near the bonfire. It couldn't be simpler than that! Lay the bread on the stones and howl at the moon at your next "Neanderthal camp".
Step 5. Try a toast "mold"
It is a tool similar to an iron for ferratelle but smooth on the inside. Basically it is a large metal clamp with long handles. It is perfect for cooking or grilling toast and sandwiches over an open flame.
- Butter or oil both sides of the mold and then insert the slices of bread (the white and smooth one is best), close the mold. Hold it over the fire for a couple of minutes on each side and check from time to time that the toast is not burning. Enjoy it still hot!
- A toast with grape jam cooked in a mold over a bonfire is a delight that you can afford whenever you want, even now.
Method 5 of 6: Choose the Bread
Step 1. Try regular bread rolls
It can be white, wholemeal or rye, but the classic sandwich bread is perfect for excellent toast. It is always sold in pre-cut loaves, so you'll always get even, crunchy sandwiches or slices to go with your breakfast.
White, soft loaves and other sandwich loaves tend to toast faster than richer, denser loaves. Check this type of bread carefully while baking to prevent it from burning
Step 2. Try thick bread
If you don't like good old bread, then you can try a thicker bread, with a crust that allows you to make toast with a slightly more chewy crumb, but with crispy edges. Ask your trusted baker for advice, look for round loaves that you can slice yourself and try to toast them. Consider:
- The baguettes or loaves of French bread.
- Raisin bread.
- The challah
- The nine-grain or multigrain bread.
- Wholemeal bread.
Step 3. If you can, choose the pre-sliced loaves
Since it is not easy to obtain uniform slices, it is better to rely on pre-cut bread that you find at the supermarket to prepare toast. Even if you have decided to buy bread from the baker, you can ask him to slice it with a machine.
If you can't get machine cut bread, slice it at home using a serrated knife. Make each piece 2 cm thick, this way you will get tasty toast, but at the same time slices that go into the toaster
Step 4. Store old or stale bread for toast
If what you have at home gets too old to make sandwiches, don't throw it away, toast it! This cooking process revives the old bread; among other things, the need not to throw away the leftover bread may have originally been the spark that gave birth to the toast.
The procedure was probably invented by the ancient Egyptians, in whose time the workers involved in the construction of the pyramids were often paid in loaves. These remained outdoors for a long time and became stale. To make them tasty again, they were rekindled over the flames thus creating the first toast in history
Method 6 of 6: Tips for Toppings and Fillings
Step 1. Slice the toast in halves, quarters or leave it whole
Traditionally, in the dinners of the past, the cooks sliced the natural toast (without butter) vertically, while the buttered one was cut diagonally so the waiters could identify them quickly and without making mistakes. That's why everyone knows that triangular toasts are better, right?
The "club sandwich" is cut diagonally twice, while the toast sticks are slices cut vertically several times. These are served with soft-boiled eggs so you can dip them. Be creative, cut the toast however you like best
Step 2. Spread a single ingredient on the bread
Once you have a perfect, still hot toast, you can easily garnish it with what you love the most. While you can put almost any food on toast, there are some classic combinations. Here are some ideas:
- Butter or margarine.
- Peanut butter.
- Jam or jelly.
- Nutella.
- Fried or scrambled eggs.
Step 3. Make a cinnamon and sugar toast
It's hard to imagine a more invigorating and delicious snack than toast with butter, cinnamon and sugar. To create a spread, mix these ingredients carefully in a small bowl:
- Half a tablespoon of softened butter.
- Half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- A teaspoon of granulated sugar.
Step 4. Make cheese toast
Great to accompany a lunch or as a snack, cheese toast consists of a simple slice of bread covered with melted cheese. Cheddar is usually used, but you can use any cheese of your choice. To cook it it is better to use the oven.
- Toast the bread on one side and take it out of the oven. Cover the “raw” side with slices of your favorite cheese or grate it.
- Put the bread back in the oven so the toasting continues and at the same time the cheese melts. Remove the bread from the oven when it is golden brown and the cheese begins to bubble.
Step 5. Try mushrooms, beans, or shredded beef
Although it may seem strange to those who have never tried them, savory sauces are widely used in English cuisine to accompany beans for breakfast.
- Browned mushrooms are excellent to accompany steaks or chops, especially if placed on a slice of toast.
- Beans on toast are a staple of the English breakfast.
- The strips of beef in cream go with toast and are typical of mid-western cuisine in the United States. In military canteens these are referred to with rather extravagant and often vulgar epithets. Think of this dish as a gravy-coated biscuit.
Step 6. Try this weird toast much loved by Elvis Presley
In the last years of his life, the King of Rock loved nothing more than huge sandwiches with peanut butter, banana slices, grape jam and slices of bacon fried in the fat of the bacon itself. Do you think it is good? Try frying it in bacon fat and sprinkle the bread with all of these ingredients. You will find yourself in the paradise of an overweight Elvis. Here's how to cook it:
- Fry a couple of slices of bacon in a pan but don't discard the fat. Remove the meat and make a regular white bread sandwich with peanut butter, add the bacon and a generous portion of sliced banana, as well as your favorite jam.
- Return everything to the pot and fry in bacon fat until both sides of the sandwich are hot. When the bread is crunchy and golden, it is ready to eat. Keep some napkins handy.
Advice
- If you've burned the toast, you can always get it back. With the flat side of the butter knife, scrape off the charred part; remember to perform this operation above the garbage can, as you could make the kitchen very dirty. However, if the whole slice of bread is burnt, throw it away and make a new toast. This is why you should always set the toaster to the minimum setting in the beginning. Remember that you will improve with practice.
- If you don't have a toaster or oven with this accessory, you can use a pan. Heat it over medium or medium-high heat and add the slices of bread. Halfway through cooking you will need to flip them to toast both sides. You can use a simple cast iron skillet or a stainless steel one because they are much better than non-stick ones. The latter, in fact, when they reach high temperatures when dry, form hot areas on the surface which damage the non-stick coating and which can melt the plastic cutlery which is essential to avoid scratching the surface of the pan. A small electric grill may also come in handy, but you will probably need to set it to maximum temperature to toast the bread instead of drying it slowly.
- If you have decided to use butter, sprinkle it on the bread quickly as soon as you take it out of the toaster. This way it melts on the bread and is easier to spread.
- Be very careful when setting up the appliance. If you don't know which temperature to use, consult the manual. Excessive heat will burn the toast.
- Never put sliced bread in the freezer. Instead, keep it in a special box that will keep it fresh and crunchy.
- Always close the package of bread very well, once you have used the necessary amount. Thus the content stays fresh.
Warnings
- Do not leave the toaster or its cable near water. It's dangerous!
- Do not put parts of your body or metal objects in the toaster. You could burn yourself or be electrocuted. Nylon tongs without any metal components are the most suitable tool for removing stuck pieces of bread.
