Have you ever wondered what people snacked on before the invention of pre-packaged snacks? One of the most common snacks was simple butter bread. When people wanted something a little more “refined” they had toast. The following recipes describe how to turn simple toast into some pretty respectable snack foods. You need an oven or toaster oven with a broiler to make them. Move your oven rack to the top position and set the oven control to broil. Broil one side of the bread until lightly browned. Flip the bread over, spread it with your chosen spread and broil until done to your liking. Watch the food closely. Don’t leave the kitchen. Toast goes from golden brown to burnt in a matter of seconds.
Broiled Toasties
These are an oldie but goodie. Simple bread and butter (or margarine) are elevated to gastronomical peaks of dignity with this method. When buttered toasties lose their interest, there are many other toppings that are delicious broiled on toast. The following toppings are all based on the following Basic Method:
- Prepare the topping (see below) or bring a bit of margarine to room temperature.
- Arrange slices of bread on a cookie sheet or broiler pan. Broil for a couple of minutes or until lightly browned. Watch closely so they don’t burn.
- Remove the bread from the oven. Flip all of the slices over. The toasted part is on the bottom and the untoasted part is on top.
- Apply the topping to, or spread margarine on, the “raw” side of all of the slices of bread. If possible spread it all the way to edges. If desired, cut the bread into 2 triangles per slice, or 4-long rectangular “fingers” per slice.
- Broil again until the topping is bubbly and the topside is lightly toasted. Remove the toast from the oven. Arrange on a snack tray and serve.
Cinnamon Toast
Follow the procedure outlined above. For the topping spread the toast with softened margarine. Combine 1-tablespoon of cinnamon with 1/4-cup of sugar. Mix well and sprinkle liberally over the toast. Cut as desired and broil until bubbly. This is a fancy form of Cinnamon Toast and most people, young and old alike, love it.
Garlic Toast
In a cereal bowl combine 1/4-cup softened margarine, 1/2-teaspoon garlic powder and a few shakes of salt. Mix well. Spread on toast. Cut as desired and broil until toasty. This is great with Italian meals, but it’s also quite tasty in its own right. If you cut them into fingers then you can provide a small bowl of canned spaghetti sauce for dipping.
Parmesan Toast
Spread the toast with softened margarine. Top with a light sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Cut as desired and broil until toasty. If you like, make Garlic Toast above and sprinkle lightly with Parmesan before cutting and broiling. These are extra yummy.
Molasses Toast
Combine equal amounts of softened margarine and molasses. Mix until smooth. Spread on toast. Cut as desired and broil until toasty. This tastes like taffy and it’s delicious.
Honey Toast
Combine equal amounts of softened margarine and honey. Mix until smooth. Spread on toast. Cut as desired and broil until toasty. Luscious.
Marmalade or Jelly Toast
Spread the toast with softened margarine and then spread with marmalade or another favorite fruit preserve. Cut as desired. Toast until bubbly. Allow to cool a few minutes before serving because the jelly will be very hot.
Anchovy Toast
This one is only for die-hard anchovy fans only. Others won’t appreciate it and it would be a waste of good anchovies to try and convince them otherwise. Soften 1-stick of butter or margarine to room temperature. Drain a 2-ounce tin of anchovies. Add the anchovies to the butter and mash together until the anchovies disintegrate into the butter. Spread on toast. Cut and broil until bubbly. Serve with a few hot or mild peppers on the snack tray. The heat of the peppers makes a nice foil to the saltiness of the anchovies.
Cheese Toasties
Prepare the toast as directed in the basic method. Top the toast with a slice of Velveeta-type Cheese or a few tablespoons of shredded cheese. The bread may be buttered before adding the cheese if desired. Cut as desired and broil until the cheese melts. Watch closely so the cheese doesn’t burn.
Peanut Butter Toasties
Spread each slice of toast with a thin coating of peanut butter. Broil until bubbly. Serve. This seems like a plebeian recipe that might appeal to children, but would never be good enough for company. Toss that thought out the window because broiling peanut butter does something to it that makes it taste out of this world.
Fluffernut Toasties
Spread each slice of toast with a thin coating of peanut butter and then top with mini-marshmallows or quartered large marshmallows. Cut as desired and broil until the marshmallows are lightly browned and gooey. Yummy!
Cream Cheese Toasties
In a small bowl combine 4-ounces of cream cheese, 1/4 cup corn syrup or honey and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. If you have any orange peel then add a few bits or a few drops of orange or almond extract. Stir the mixture smooth. Spread on bread and broil until bubbly. This is similar to cream cheese danish, only much easier on the cook.
