Toast
Toasting is browning the surface of a food with dry heat, in an oven, toaster, dry skillet, or under a broiler, with no added liquid or fat. As the surface heats and dries, it turns golden, crisp, and more aromatic, and its flavor deepens and becomes nuttier. The word covers everything from a slice of bread in a toaster to nuts, seeds, spices, coconut, and bread crumbs browned in a pan.
Cooks toast ingredients to bring out flavor and add crunch. Toasting nuts and whole spices before use releases their oils and dramatically boosts their aroma, making them far more flavorful than untoasted. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, or spread on a sheet in the oven, and pull them the moment they smell fragrant and turn golden. They can burn quickly and taste bitter once scorched, so stay close and watch them the whole time.
Cooks toast ingredients to bring out flavor and add crunch. Toasting nuts and whole spices before use releases their oils and dramatically boosts their aroma, making them far more flavorful than untoasted. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, or spread on a sheet in the oven, and pull them the moment they smell fragrant and turn golden. They can burn quickly and taste bitter once scorched, so stay close and watch them the whole time.