Toast Of The Town: 6 Morning Or Midnight Bites You Can’t Miss

Let’s get toasty with these six toasts I whisked up behind the kitchen, be it a quick breakfast bite or a midnight munch.

It’s a pretty delayed awakening on my part, to notice how a loaf as basic as bread is far from boring. In my eyes, bread is rather uninteresting, and achingly so, kind of like rice. But again, it’s a belated discovery to find it foolish to believe so, and for that, I tip my head in a shy admission.

There are loaves of layering when it comes to bread, whether we’re talking a cheeky yeast on the rise or a humble whole-wheat. And what about the shapes and spreads? Or is that on a knead-to-dough basis? For today’s piece, however, we’ll be slicing into some of the toasts I enjoy browning up, whether early in the day, or on the sly in the dead of night. Here’s a crumb of my crusty comforts.

1. Strawberry toast

The playbook for this toasty slice rests on the seasonal sweetheart, really. Strawberries are such bright belles; the colour and crunch make for a dashing collage on your slice. There are many ways to slice it, but strawberry slivers are right up my valley as they make for a stunning stack next to or over each other, but you can cut it up however you wish.

Over a butter-toasted bread, smoothened with cream cheese, we then start tucking in the ruby-hued slices, laying them across this curdled bed. For a nutty touch, feel free to add a scoop peanut butter. On a last lick, drizzle delicately with maple syrup or honey, and your strawberry toast is ready to serve.

2. Choco banana

This is one I’m particularly in love with, a chocolate banana toast. For some reason, I’m tempted at the oddest hours by this toastie pie. Perhaps it’s the sweet tooth squeaking about. Ready your bread and a banana, which you must have buttered up nicely before a toasty nudge—the bread, I mean. Though a caramelised banana isn’t an awful idea. Point is, it’s a midnight treat where you slip into the kitchen with a sweet spell to undo, and we want something quick, not fancy.

Chop up a banana, then slap it over a toastie in a chocolate coat. My usual pick is Nutella, but again, it’s up to your palate. And after the lineup is a saucy finale, glaze it with chocolate sauce, and glaze it good.

3. Bacon toast

Onto a more savoury crunch, bacon toast is what a sunny morning is worth shining for. Any bacon will do, fire it up with little to no oil—that’s how I like mine sizzled. Leave just the right measure to stick your bread on to. The salty pinch turns it up a notch for your toast, an exquisite touch if you ask me. Toss on the crispy bacon strips, and you have a butty!

The fun kick is a butty can be pressed with anything, some cheese slices here, egg scrambles there, or over a velvety avocado load. From simple to a smidgen sophisticated.

4. Grilled cheese

C’mon, this couldn’t be anymore classic a toast to… toast to! Grilled cheese, mmm. Forget the sandwich method, savour it on a single bread slice. Yummy. Choose your preferred dairy, whether processed, aged, sliced, or shredded; and then chuck it over some plain bread and send it on its toasty way into the pan. The trick is to have a lid or a plate to contain the heat, thus letting the oozy cheese melt into bliss.

5. French toast

This is but a half-and-half magic. Whisk milk and eggs into a mixture, add maybe a splash of brown sugar or a cinnamon sprinkle for a sweetened and ever so lightly crunchy smack, then whisk it again. Letting the loaf sit overnight is suggested; that way, the eggy bath can be all soaked up. But a careful pour and press can work just as well. It really is that easy a toast to warm you through the morning.

6. Garlic bread

Lastly, but hardly least, garlic bread. The golden one who pleases all or none. But honestly, who could say no to garlic bread? The way I whip this up starts with minced cloves of garlic—maybe sliced, but never chopped. I can’t be chomping into a garlic cube, certainly not on my morning toastie.

Don’t forget about your petals of parsley—hashed. Slide them into the butter, which should be at room temperature, neither melted nor chilled. Start combining the ingredients until they’re well mingled. Your bready base can be anything, I reckon. Having experimented with whole wheat, sourdough, and baguette, I’ve found that so long as it’s a loaf, you’re on the right track. Then, pop them into the oven until golden, and you have a slice that warms up hearts and hands.