National Toast Day is a glorious celebration of one of the most simple yet versatile foods - toast. Falling on February 27 this year, National Toast Day provides for the first time an opportunity to pay tribute to the thousands of ways we indulge in this crispy slice of bread. Be it served with a smear of butter, a scoop of jam, or decked with gourmet toppings on bread, toast has been a long history of elevating meals from breakfast to dinner.
The Tiptree World Bread Awards in the UK celebrated National Toast Day in 2014 for the first time. It is said to be a day that does full justice to the art of bread-making by the professional bakers, home cooks perfecting their loaves, and, at the end of it, by turning what was once a simple piece of toast into something celebrated, enjoyed in a healthy myriad of ways. Toast has developed from just being a simple accompaniment into a full-fledged contrasting dish, especially because of creative toppings.
This year, drawing inspiration from parfaits: layered perfection, celebrate with parfait-inspired toast ideas. As long as this creation is good, you just have to work with the things you like putting together, perhaps a combination of sweet, tart, and savory layers will make each single bite exciting again. With some layered toast recipes, you would be able to turn a simple piece of bread into quite a show-off.
Begin with a thick slice of whole-grain toast as your base. Top it with a generous layer of creamy Greek yogurt, adding a splash of honey for sweetness. Sprinkle crushed walnuts for a crunchy contrast. The combination of tangy yogurt, rich honey, and crunchy nuts creates a satisfying yet balanced treat that works beautifully as a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon snack.
Begin with lightly toasted brioche, topped by a layer of rich, smooth chocolate mousse and topped with fresh raspberries, giving it an extra pop of colour and tartness. Slivered almonds add yet another layer of crunch to the richness. The creaminess of the mousse underpins the whole indulgent aspect of the toast, while the raspberries and almonds elevate this to the ultimate decadent toast for any occasion.
Toast a slice of sourdough until it's perfectly crisp. Spread a thick layer of creamy ricotta cheese, followed by mashed avocado for richness. Add slices of ripe tomato and sprinkle with sea salt and cracked pepper for a savory twist. This parfait-inspired toast blends the freshness of tomato with the creamy avocado and ricotta, offering a light yet filling dish.
This can be a really hearty, nutritious option, slice up some whole wheat bread and toast it; then spread over a good thick layer of peanut butter, layer sliced bananas, and top it with some chia seeds. This is excellent for people wanting a quick boost of energy and the peanut butter and banana makes the dish feel quite comfortable and filling.
Spread a thick layer of mascarpone cheese on a warm slice of ciabatta. Top with fresh mixed berries: blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries. Finish with chopped pistachios for a salty crunch that contrasts with the sweetness of the berries. The mascarpone's creamy richness blends perfectly with the tart berries, offering a sophisticated treat.
Begin with a slice of rye toast topped with a spread of creamy ricotta cheese. Fresh figs, sliced, then drizzled with honey to highlight the sweetness, complete the presentation. Light dusting with cinnamon or crushed walnuts will provide a warm earthy undertone to this parfait-inspired toast. The balance between fig, honey, and ricotta for rich, sweet, and tangy will make it suitable for breakfast or dessert.
Spread thick ricotta cheese atop a warm slice of focaccia bread. Garnish with a burst of juicy sweetness through fresh pomegranate seeds and sprinkle finely chopped mint leaves for that refreshing contrast. This parfait-inspired toast is sure to be one of the prettiest examples of creamy, sweet, and fresh elements, a perfect midday snack or light lunch.