Doctors recommend that women who suffer from morning sickness have something to drink, such as sweet tea, and some dry toast before getting up.

BBC: Pregnancy wreaks havoc on the female body.

Much of what is sold under the moniker "bagel" where I live is as bready and dry as toast before being toasted, which it must be to become palatable. (With those words, bagel cognoscenti will understand that I have just condemned these specimens to the same circle of hell reserved for blueberry bagels.) The new trend should be my salvation, but alas, it leaves me cold.

WSJ: Battle for the Bagel's Soul

Some toast whole dry spices, such as cumin seed or mustard seed, in a pan for a minute until the seeds begin to pop.

NPR: Indian Food: Eating in Technicolor

At our bed-and-breakfast in Cork, we started each day with the traditional offering: "parched" eggs, grilled tomatoes and sausages, toast so dry even butter couldn't appease it.

WSJ: The New Green Cuisine

In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the chilies.

WSJ: A Potent Brew

Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet until golden and fragrant (keep an eye on them so they don't burn) and let cool.

NPR: Perfect Pear Tartlets