I have a confession to make, one that often gets me a side-eye or a quizzical look from anyone who's heard it: I have a thing for burnt toast. Yes, that over-toasted, crunchy, slightly bitter slice that most toss in the bin without a second thought. But before you join the masses in judging, let me explain.

Some Saturday mornings were pretty sacred in our home. Not only cause it poured outside all morning, leading us to sleep in, or because it was 90210 marathon day (though both were true). It was sacred because of breakfast. A full spread on those weekends, without fail. The aroma of brewing tea, sizzling eggs, and the distinctive sound of the delicate bread bag tussling open. But here's the twist.

Our journey into the Gluten-free lifestyle had just started, and boy, was it unfamiliar—cause it turned out Gluten-free bread sure toasted differently. And yep, you guessed it—well, a whole lot of burnt toast as a result.

That crisp, charred, sometimes French, sometimes plain toast became synonymous with the joy of weekend breakfasts. It was the backdrop to family discussions, to plans being made, to memories being created. So, while many might scrunch up their nose at it, to me, burnt toast was never a mistake. It was the taste of family, of love, of home.

Most toast lovers aim for that golden-brown hue, a perfect balance of crunch and softness. But when you drift into the charred territory, you venture into a world of intensified flavors. There's an earthy bitterness, a robustness absent from its perfectly toasted counterpart. And honestly, that hint of bitterness can be the perfect contrast to the sweetness of jam or the creaminess of butter.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting you go and burn every slice of bread you get your hands on. But, like those who champion pineapple on pizza or dip their fries in milkshakes (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!), I'm suggesting you approach burnt toast with an open mind. In a world where we're always looking for the next big thing in food, why not find beauty in something as simple as burnt toast?

Next time you accidentally leave your toast in a tad too long, don't be so quick to toss it. Slather on your favorite topping, take a bite and savor it. You might just discover a new taste sensation. And if not, well, at least you gave it a shot.