A toast to All-American toast: It fits us to a ‘T’

The warm, crunchy, golden brown staple on breakfast tables in more than 90 percent of American homes is one of life’s simplest pleasures. This humble breakfast hero is also an iconic symbol of all that’s right and good in American life. Toast is the great leveler, a symbol of democracy: Crunchy toast is enjoyed in humble homes as well as at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

America’s love of toast has given birth to toaster collections, a national toaster museum, children’s books, songs about toast and cookbooks full of toast recipes.

One hundred years since the introduction of the first electric toaster, Americans are faithful to their long-lived love affair with the slightly crunchy, golden bread. In fact, a recent survey commissioned by the Grain Foods Foundation and conducted by Harris Interactive indicates that more than 93 percent of respondents say they enjoy toast any time of day.

How passionate are Americans about toast? Nearly 10 percent of adults surveyed confessed they’d rather enjoy their morning toast than, um, a passionate interlude with their significant other. More than half of the survey respondents would choose toast over candy, and nearly 40 percent over chocolate. That’s some serious craving for toast.

Love, craving and science in the kitchen

“There’s nothing more satisfying than a piece of perfectly toasted bread,” says Ted Allen, cookbook author and food and wine consultant for television’s popular “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” “One of the most comforting, simple moments you can have is to make yourself a slice of toast. The scent of bread caramelizing in the toaster is wonderful.”

The process that caramelizes toast — cooking the sugars in the bread and turning them golden brown — is the Maillard reaction, which gives toast its flavor and its crunch.

So push that lever down, get out your favorite toppings while waiting (im)patiently for the tantalizing aroma of caramelizing bread. If that’s not true love …

Write down this recipe for … toast

Chef and toast enthusiast Jesse Ziff Cool has written a tome to toast. “Toast: 60 Ways to Butter Your Bread & Then Some” includes toothsome toast recipes, from sweet to savory, for every meal occasion.

“Toast is still the greatest thing since sliced bread — and getting better all the time. Toast is the perfect beginning for an appetizer, sandwich, entrée, snack — even dessert,” says Cool, chef, restaurant owner and cookbook author.

But Cool was not the first to document toast recipes. The White House cookbook of 1887 contained five entire pages and 21 recipes devoted to toast!

Winter Breakfast Sandwich with Maple Syrup, Toasted Walnuts and Cream Cheese

Serves 4 to 6

2/3 cup (about 3 ounces) coarsely chopped walnuts

8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature

3 tablespoons real maple syrup, plus more for garnishing

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 bread slices

Preheat toaster oven to 350°F. Put walnuts on baking tray and toast 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. In medium bowl, combine cream cheese, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla; stir to blend. Toast bread. Spread one-fourth of cream cheese mixture on each of 4 slices and sprinkle with walnuts. Drizzle with a little maple syrup. Top with a slice of plain toast. For bite-sized tea sandwiches, cut into 2, 4 or 6 pieces.

•Recipe courtesy of Jesse Ziff Cool, author of “Toast: 60 Ways to Butter Your Bread & Then Some.”