Monday, April 30, 2012

Boat Galley: Toaster-less Toast

This week's Boat Galley article shares 4 ways to make toast without a toaster on your boat...

Guest blog by Carolyn Shearlock
Carolyn Shearlock, author of The Boat Galley, appears weekly on the Daily Boater with tips for getting the most out of your boat's kitchen.
Photo: Carolyn Shearlock, theboatgalley.com
Breakfast without toast? No way! But most boats don’t really have the electrical power for a toaster . . . let alone using that much precious storage space on a single-purpose item.

Good news: you don’t have to give up toast, even if you did give up the toaster!

Today’s Topic: Toast Without A Toaster...

Toast Without A Toaster
All of these methods produce good results IF you pay constant attention to the toast. Unlike using a toaster, you just can’t pop the toast in and do other stuff while waiting for it to be ready. The key to good toast (golden and crunchy on the outside and still soft and moist on the inside) is high heat, and that means the bread can go from white to burnt in just seconds.

Method 1 – Skillet:
I use this method on occasion, but I don't like it as well as making “grilled bread” as it can blacken the pan. However, it is the simplest!

1.    Heat skillet over high heat. Skillet must be hot before you put the bread in it.
2.    Place bread in skillet without oil.
3.    Turn bread over when bottom is golden.
4.    When second side is toasted, remove and serve.

Method 2 – Grilled Bread:
My favorite method of making breakfast toast, this is also a great way to make garlic toast to accompany a meal. Just sprinkle the butter with a little garlic powder, or mix finely minced garlic or garlic paste into the butter. Other good flavorings are cinnamon, onion or dill.

1.    Heat skillet over medium-high heat.
2.    Lightly butter one side of a slice of bread, like you would do for a grilled cheese sandwich. When the skillet is hot, put the bread in the pan, buttered side down.
3.    While the first side is cooking, lightly butter the second side.
4.    Flip with a spatula when the first side is golden.
5.    When second side is also golden, remove from the pan and serve.

Photo: Carolyn Shearlock
Method 3 – Camping Toaster:
When I was a little girl, I was fascinated by the way my grandma made toast on this weird little gizmo that stood on her stove. She didn't call it a "camping toaster" - it was just her toaster. (She also had a tendency to forget about the toast, and I was equally fascinated to watch her scrape the burnt bits into the sink with a knife.)

As shown in the photo, these toasters are still made by Coleman and some other companies and work just as well over a gas stove as the camping stove. You can find them at Wal-mart and camping stores for $5 to $10. Be sure to get one that folds flat for storage.

You can make up to four pieces of toast at a time, leaning bread against the support, and then flipping it when the first side is done.

Method 4 – Broiler:
If you’re lucky enough to have a broiler, this method works well:

1.    Move oven rack to top position. Preheat broiler until it is red hot.
2.    Slide the rack out, place bread slices on it, then slide it back in.
3.    Keep the oven door cracked and watch for the bread to become golden – the exact time will depend on the heat of your broiler, distance to the rack and moisture in the bread. It generally takes somewhere between 30 and 60 seconds.
4.    Slide the rack out, quickly flip the bread and slide it back it in. (Don’t try to reach into the oven to flip the bread – it’s too easy to burn yourself!)
5.    Watch for the second side to turn golden. It will take less time than the first side did.
6.    Remove and serve.

Just remember, no matter what technique you choose, you have to watch the toast constantly!

Carolyn Shearlock is author of The Boat Galley, with over 280 FREE articles to get the most out of your boat kitchen with galley tips, insights & equipment recommendations. A few recipes, too – plus an active Facebook community to ask questions and share tips with other readers!

You can also see several previous boat galley articles here on the Daily Boater.

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