Toast 176570 226141786 2008-07-17T00:29:58Z Someguy1221 3315180 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/71.183.234.238|71.183.234.238]] to last version by Gogo Dodo (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{otheruses1|the food}} [[Image:ToastedWhiteBread.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Two pieces of toasted white bread.]] [[Image:ToastsAsCheapFoodPerCalorie.JPG|thumb|right|200px|A pack of toasted bread is a cheap/high nutrient food source (which too has long shelf life) and may be used (as too dehulled [[rice]]) to combat famines.]] '''Toast''' is sliced [[bread]] which has been browned by exposure to dry [[heat]] ("toasted"). This browning reaction is a form of [[Maillard reaction]]. Toasting warms the bread, making it more pleasant to eat for some, and makes it [[crispiness|crisp]] such that it holds toppings more securely. Toasting is also a common method of making [[staling|stale]] bread palatable. Toast is often served with [[butter]], [[cheese]], [[marmalade]], or any number of other toppings. Toast is a typical [[breakfast]] [[food]], and may be bought as is in [[supermarkets]], or made at the home from regular bread. ==Toasting methods== ===Using a household toaster=== [[Image:A Toaster.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A classic two-slot toaster]] The usual method of browning bread is by the use of a [[toaster]], a small [[Small appliance| appliance]] made for that purpose, first used in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century.<ref>[http://www.toaster.org/1900.php the Toaster Museum Foundation]</ref> For a modern toaster, sliced bread is placed into the narrow slots on the top of the device and the desired toast setting is selected (some toasters have more elaborate settings than others). Then, the lever on the side of the [[toaster]] is pushed down, simultaneously turning on the heating elements. ===Using a toaster oven=== A more modern method of toasting is the use of a [[toaster oven]]. This device can be used both as a conventional oven and for toasting. It is usually a scaled down version of a conventional oven. The use of a toaster oven is more similar to that of a conventional oven: settings such as temperature and cooking time are set with knobs or buttons on the toaster oven. The bread is then placed on the oven rack to cook. Unlike the traditional toaster, the toast does not pop out the top when it is ready. Instead, the toast is simply removed from the oven by hand using an oven mitt or potholder. Some prefer the toaster oven because it takes up little counter space and can be used to bake small food items without having to use the conventional oven, but it is still debated whether it gives toast the "crunch" that a traditional toaster does. ===Using a grill=== Toast can also be prepared under a grill (American English: ''broiler''). This method requires turning the toast halfway through the cooking process, making it less convenient than using a toaster. This method also allows a range of toast based dishes to be created, for example cheese on toast where the bread is toasted on one side, turned and topped with cheese before finally grilling the second side. ===Using an open fire=== Traditionally toast can be prepared on a wood or coal burning open fire, using a toasting fork. As with the grill based method this requires turning the toast during the cooking process. ==Preparation and use== [[Image:Toast-3.jpg|left|thumb|A slice of [[bread]], contrasting untoasted and toasted]] Care must be taken while toasting bread to avoid [[burning]] toast unless it is desired in that state. Burnt toast is possibly [[carcinogen]]ic, due to elevated levels of [[benzopyrene]]. <ref>{{Cite web | title = Close encounters | accessdate = 2007-09-13 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/chemicalworld/story/0,14534,1219603,00.html | work = Special reports, Guardian Unlimited | publisher = Guardian News and Media Limited | date = 2004-05-22 }}</ref> Toast is commonly eaten with [[butter]] or [[margarine]] spread over it. Jams, jellies and other spreads are also commonly used as toppings. In some countries a more popular practice is to spread a yeast extract, such as [[Marmite]] or [[Vegemite]] on toast. "[[Baked beans|Beans]] on toast" and "[[Egg (food)|Eggs]] on toast" are both very popular simple meals in the [[United Kingdom]]. Other methods of preparing toast include to sprinkle a mixture of [[sugar]] and [[cinnamon]] on buttered toast, creating cinnamon toast.<ref>[http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/cafe/cinnamontoast.html ZOOM cinnamon toast recipe]</ref> Toast spread with [[jam]], [[Fruit preserves|jelly]], [[apple butter]] or marmalade is commonly associated with [[breakfast]]. It is sometimes used instead of fresh bread for making [[sandwich]]es (such as a [[BLT sandwich]]). Toast is a common component of many [[breakfast]]s, and is also used in some traditional bland specialty [[Dieting|diets]] for people with gastrointestinal problems such as [[diarrhea]], or [[morning sickness]] during pregnancy, such as the [[BRAT diet]] consisting of [[banana]]s, [[rice]], [[applesauce]], and toast.<ref name="UMich">{{cite web |url=http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_bratdiet_pep.htm |title=BRAT diet: What is the BRAT diet? ||accessmonthday= 8 |accessdaymonth = April|accessyear= 2007 }}</ref> Bread can also be cubed before being toasted, sometimes after being coated with [[seasoning]]s. These toasted cubes are called [[crouton]]s, and are often added to [[salad]]s, [[soup]]s, and other dishes. ==See also== {{wiktionarypar|toast}} {{commonscat}} * [[French toast]] * [[Toasted sandwich]] * [[Texas toast]] * [[Melba toast]] * [[Fried bread]] * [[Milk toast]] * [[Toast rack]] * [[Egg in the basket]] * [[Tostada]] * [[Bagel toast]] * [[Toaster]] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Breads]] [[Category:Breakfast foods]] [[ca:Torrada]] [[de:Toastbrot]] [[es:Tostada]] [[fr:Pain grillé]] [[gl:Torrada]] [[ko:토스트]] [[it:Toast]] [[he:קלי]] [[ms:Roti bakar]] [[nl:Tosti]] [[ja:トースト]] [[pl:Tost]] [[pt:Torrada]] [[fi:Paahtoleipä]] [[zh-yue:多士]] [[zh:吐司]]