Toast is a simple and satisfying breakfast, but it can be quite bland on its own. If you're after toast that's crispy, golden and glistening — the sort you'd see in a picture-perfect breakfast scene — try preparing it with olive oil instead. Olive oil encourages the bread to cook evenly, producing a consistent golden crust rather than the patchy, charred finish that a toaster can sometimes deliver.
Why Make Toast with Olive Oil
Toasters are undeniably quicker and more convenient, making them the obvious choice for a no-fuss everyday breakfast prepared in the shortest time possible, reports the Express. However, cooking toast in a frying pan with a splash of olive oil yields a superior texture, as the bread cooks uniformly and turns perfectly crisp throughout.
A toaster relies on dry heat, which rapidly browns the exterior of the bread but can occasionally produce an uneven texture that's dry, chewy, or even burnt. Cooking toast with olive oil promotes more even browning, while simultaneously enriching the flavour and imparting a subtly nutty taste. This method for more indulgent toast is ideal when you're after a swift evening meal with baked beans and cheese, but it works equally well in the morning if you simply want to elevate your breakfast with just a few extra minutes of effort.
How to Make the Ultimate Toast
You will need:
- Two slices of bread
- One tablespoon of olive oil
- Pinch of salt
Method: Simply place a frying pan over a medium heat and leave it to warm up for around a minute. Pour the olive oil into the pan and swirl it around to ensure it coats the surface evenly. Lay the bread flat in the pan and cook for approximately two minutes, or until it turns a golden brown. For an extra crunch, gently press the bread into the pan using a spatula as it cooks. Flip the bread over and cook for a further two minutes on the other side until perfectly golden.
Transfer the toast to a plate — it will be wonderfully crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and boast a far richer flavour than anything produced by a standard toaster.
How Can You Make Toast Even Better?
For an even more flavoursome result, rub the toast with a raw garlic clove to create a quick and effortless garlic bread. Scattering grated cheese over the toast while it is still warm also makes for a straightforward yet satisfying meal. If you're preparing breakfast, however, this style of toast pairs brilliantly with sliced tomatoes, a fried egg, or even avocado, giving you the perfect start to your morning.
