Almond Toast Food

ALMOND FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Place almonds in a small saucepan over low heat. Tossing frequently, toast until lightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, flour, salt, baking powder, almond extract and vanilla extract. Soak bread slices in the mixture until saturated. Place slices in a shallow pan. Refrigerate slices approximately 1 hour.
• Heat canola oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. One at a time, press one side of soaked bread slices in the almonds to coat. Fry bread slices on both sides until golden brown. Dust with confectioner's sugar before serving,

ALMOND TOAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper (do not grease).
• Whip whites and salt until foamy, then gradually pour in sugar. Continue whipping until whites hold a stiff peak. Fold in sifted flour and fold in almonds. Scrape meringue into prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes, until top is richly browned. Allow to cool, then wrap and freeze overnight. (Makes about 24 toasts).
• Preheat oven to 175 degrees F. and line a baking tray with parchment. Using a serrated knife, slice thin slices of loaf, about 1/4 inch thick or less and place on a baking sheet. Bake until dry and crisp, but not browned, 20 to 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

COCONUT-ALMOND FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish.
• For the French toast: Lay the bread slices in one layer (it's OK if they overlap a little) on a baking sheet. Bake the slices (to dry them out a little) for 6 minutes, then flip and bake for 6 minutes more. Set aside to cool.
• Whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Dunk each bread slice in the egg mixture to coat thoroughly and shingle the slices in the buttered casserole dish. Pour any remaining egg mixture over the bread. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
• For the coconut-almond crust: Put 1/2 cup of the coconut, 1/3 cup of the almonds, granulated sugar, flour and salt in a food processor and process until very fine. Add the butter, egg and egg yolk and process well to form a smooth paste.
• To assemble the casserole: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the coconut-almond mixture evenly over the soaked bread slices. Top with the remaining 1/4 cup sliced almonds and 3 tablespoons coconut and bake until puffed and lightly golden and the custard is set (the center of the casserole will no longer jiggle when shaken), 45 to 50 minutes. Allow to cool for 1 hour before serving, or serve at room temperature.
• Serve with a sprinkling of powdered sugar and berries if using.

TOASTED ALMOND

Steps:

• Add liqueurs to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a 10-ounce rocks glass over ice. Top with heavy cream and serve with a short straw.

BLUEBERRY-ALMOND TOASTS

Steps:

• Whisk 2 tablespoons each almond butter and sugar, 1 tablespoon softened butter, 1 egg yolk and 1/8 teaspoon almond extract. Spread on 2 pieces sandwich bread. Bake in a toaster oven at 400 degrees F until crusty on top, about 6 minutes. Top with blueberries or raspberries; dust with confectioners' sugar.

ALMOND FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 275°F.
• Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large shallow dish until combined well. Spread almonds on a large plate. Soak 4 slices of bread in egg mixture, turning over once, until saturated. Working with 1 slice at a time, remove bread, letting excess egg mixture drip off, then dredge in almonds to coat both sides, gently pressing to help adhere. Transfer to a plate or wax paper. Repeat procedure with remaining 4 slices.
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook 4 bread slices, turning over once, until almonds and bread are golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter and cook remaining 4 slices in same manner. Transfer French toast to a baking sheet as cooked and keep warm in oven.

ALMOND FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Place the almonds in a small saucepan; toss occasionally until lightly browned (about 5-8 minutes) careful not to overbrown; set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half or milk (if using) flour, salt, baking powder, almond extract and vanilla.
• Soak the bread slices in the egg mixture until soaked.
• Place in a shallow glass dish.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate the bread slices for about 1 hour.
• Heat the oil and butter in a skillet (I do this on my large electric frypan).
• Doing one slice at a time, press one side of the soaked bread slice into the toasted almonds to coat.
• Fry the bread slices on both sides until golden.
• Sprinkle with confectioners sugar if desired.

ALMOND FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Trim crusts from bread; set bread slices aside.
• Process crusts in a blender or food processor until finely crumbled.
• Set crumbs aside.
• Combine cream cheese and almond paste; beat at medium speed of an electric mixer until smooth.
• Spread the mixture evenly on 4 bread slices.
• Slice each sandwich diagonally to form 4 triangles.
• Combine eggs, milk, and vanilla.
• Dip each bread triangle into egg mixture, coat with crumbs, and dip again in egg mixture.
• Melt butter in a large skillet; add oil.
• Cook triangles over medium heat 4 minutes on each side until browned.
• Serve immediately.
• Yield: 4 servings.