Toast – Variety is the Spice of Life

Jan 8, 2015

I am constantly looking for new foods and flavors while my husband is a creature of habit and constant in his eating. My go-to food in the morning is usually a piece of multi-grain toast or English muffin. I keep a loaf of sliced bread or a package of English muffins in the freezer and take out slices or rounds to put in the toaster. The reason the bread is frozen is because I may join my husband in savoring a bowl of oatmeal one morning, and then on another, scramble some eggs or make myself a pancake. I, then, may get the urge to make a batch of muffins or just eat a bowl of cold crispy cereal. I love variety, keeping my mornings exciting so keeping the breads in the freezer is to attempt to prolong their freshness plus I have breakfast foods to choose from.

A piece of toast provides a blank palette as the blank sheet of paper before me. The bread is ready for delicious spreads, slathers or drizzles. The paper is ready for the map of my day’s course. Though I have an electronic calendar, I still re-write important dates in an appointment book. Those close to me have heard me lament about the disappearance of data. To my dismay, I have missed a few appointments because of modern technology so I have reverted back to a blank piece of paper to write down my daily “to do” list. I see it as bringing together the pieces of my life.

However, in preparing for the day, when organizing the day’s activities or preparing the toast, we can bring in some fun and creativity. A special pen or piece of paper makes the task of writing the “to-do” list a little more special, while a sprinkle of cinnamon on the butter or honey on the peanut butter on the toast can provide just a bit more deliciousness. Variety and variation are introduced, providing possibilities and options.

Variety is the spice of life. Begin with just a dash of spice for it will make the mundane all the more palatable if not more delicious.

Check out this link for healthy beginnings:

From Yellowstone Valley Woman Magazine, “Better with Breakfast,” August 18, 2014.

Toppings for Toast

I love all things toast. But when I crave comfort and nostalgia I butter up a piece of toast, sprinkle it with sugar and dust it with cinnamon. However, I find luxurious comfort in a piece of toast or a slightly browned English muffin spread with mayonnaise and then topped with sliced avocado and a poached egg. Finished with a sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper, perfection has been created.

Try the following toppings to dress up any piece of toast:

  • Peanut butter, cashew butter or almond butter
  • Fruit spread or jam or jelly
  • Cream cheese or ricotta cheese with sliced strawberries or pear or raspberries
  • Applesauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon or sliced apples
  • Scrambled or poached egg with tomato salsa
  • Hummus with sliced cherry tomatoes
  • Salted butter
  • Avocado
  • Soft-boiled egg