Bonnies French Toast For Company Food

THE BEST FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F.
• Cut the bread into 8 slices about 3/4-inch thick. Arrange them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet (it's ok if they overlap). Bake, flipping them halfway through, until very lightly golden on both sides, about 12 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet until ready to use. Reduce the oven temperature to 200 degrees F.
• Vigorously whisk the eggs in a large bowl until blended and no streaks of whites remain. Add the half-and-half, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg and whisk until completely incorporated. Transfer to a 2-quart baking dish.
• Gently press 2 slices of the toasted bread into the custard. Turn to coat and then gently press down on the bread until you feel it start to soak up the custard-this is key for a luscious, moist texture. Let the bread soak for about 1 minute per side; it should feel heavy but still hold its shape and not fall apart.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Cook 2 of the soaked bread slices until they are a deep golden brown, the custard has set and the insides are cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side. The center of the bread will puff slightly while the crust will contract, making it look puckered. You may have to alternate between medium and medium-low heat if the bread browns too quickly or not fast enough. Transfer the slices to a rimmed baking sheet and hold in the warm oven. Repeat with the remaining butter and bread.
• Serve the French toast with butter, maple syrup and a sprinkle of confectioners' sugar.

BONNIE'S BAKED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• 1. Spray a bread pan with kitchen spray and preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• 2. Butter the tops of all four slices of bread with two slices of bread to a stack. Place bread stacks in the prepared pan, buttered side up.
• 3. Mix the milk, eggs, Mexican vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar and a dash of salt with a whisk. Then pour over the bread stacks in the pan. There won't be enough liquid to totally submerge the top layer of bread, which is okay. Bake 35 to 40 minutes until nice and brown.

COMPANY FRENCH TOAST EASY TO DO-AHEAD HOLIDAY BREAKFAST

Steps:

• Melt butter in a 9x12 glass casserole.
• Add brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir, covering bottom of pan (add more butter or sugar if necessary for a thick sauce).
• Place six slices of bread to cover bottom of pan.
• Add any 'dress up' additions you may want onto the top of each slice of bread. Some ideas may be a dollop of cream cheese, jam, banana slices, caramel covered pecans, cooked bacon or sausage, etc. Feel free to leave out the extras - I usually don't add anything.
• Top with remaining six slices of bread.
• Slice each 'sandwich' diagonally. This creates beautiful, triangular servings.
• Mix eggs, water, salt and pepper together in a bowl. You can also use milk instead of water. (At 9000ft elevation, I have found water works better when scrambling eggs. I don't know why that is.).
• Pour egg mixture over bread slices and cover dish with foil.
• Refrigerate overnight.
• In the morning, put cold pan into cold oven and turn the heat to 350. Bake about 35 minutes until eggs are set.
• To serve, loosen sides and separate each serving with spatula. Scoop each serving upside down onto plate. The brown sugar mixture becomes the top of the sandwich and runs down the sides.

GRAND MARNIER FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Whisk first 6 ingredients to blend in medium bowl. Dip each bread slice into egg mixture and arrange in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Pour remaining egg mixture evenly over bread. Let stand until egg mixture is absorbed, at least 20 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Place baking sheet in oven and preheat to 350&F. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 bread slices to skillet and saut&until cooked through and brown, about 3 minutes per side. Place on baking sheet in oven to keep warm. Repeat cooking with remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 4 bread slices. Transfer French toast to 4 plates. Sift powdered sugar over. Serve with maple syrup.

FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Lay the brioche slices in a single layer in a shallow dish and pour the egg mixture over them. Allow to soak for 2-3 mins, then carefully turn over and soak for 2 mins more.
• Heat 1 tbsp of the vegetable oil and butter in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat until foaming. Carefully lift 2 slices of the soaked brioche out of the dish and add to the frying pan. Fry for 3 mins on each side, until golden and crisp, then place on a wire rack over a baking tray in a warm oven while you repeat with the remaining slices.
• Serve dusted in icing sugar and scattered with fresh berries, if you like.

CLASSIC FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200 degrees, and place a wire rack on a sheet pan inside.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs, additional yolks, milk, vanilla (if using) and salt until foamy and smooth. Set aside. Place a small lump of butter (enough to coat the bottom of the skillet when melted) in a large, heavy nonstick skillet over low heat. It will melt very slowly.
• When butter is just melted and bubbling, raise heat and bring to a sizzle. Place 2 slices of bread in the bowl with the egg mixture. Turn them a few times in the mixture until evenly saturated, about 5 seconds on each side. Do not soak.
• Lift a slice out of the egg mixture, gently shake off any excess, and place in the pan. Repeat until the skillet is full, and let the slices cook at a sizzle for about 2 minutes, until just turning golden brown on the bottom.
• Add another small lump of butter to the pan and flip the slices over, swirling the pan so that the fresh butter coats the bottom. (This will allow the second side to brown.)
• Continue cooking over low heat until the second side is golden brown. Dust with cinnamon sugar, flip again, and dust the other side. Test for doneness by pressing the center: The dent should slowly spring back. If it remains, the interior is not yet cooked. Continue cooking at low heat, flipping occasionally, until done. Serve immediately, or transfer to the oven to keep warm while cooking remaining bread. Serve as soon as possible. Top with maple syrup, berries, jam, sliced bananas, orange supremes - whatever you'd like.