Brioche French Toast With Fresh Berry Compote Food

BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST WITH FRESH BERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 225 degrees F.
• In a medium saucepan, combine fresh berries with 1/4 cup sugar and the water and bring to a simmer.
• Cook over moderate heat , stirring occasionally, until the berries have softened and released their juices and the sugar has dissolved completely, about 8 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the heavy cream, the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar and the cinnamon, ginger and allspice.
• Transfer the cream and egg mixture to a 9x13 baking dish.
• Heat a large cast-iron griddle over moderate heat and lightly butter it.
• Working in batches, dip half of the brioche slices in the cream and egg mixture, turning them once, until the slices are moistened but not soggy.
• Transfer the soaked brioche slices to the griddle and cook them over moderate heat, turning once, until they are golden on both sides and cooked through, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer the finished French toast to a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil and keep warm in the oven while you soak and cook the remaining brioche slices.
• Transfer the French toast to plates and serve right away, accompanied by the warm berry compote and creme fraiche.

BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST WITH BERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients for the compote in a small pan and gently cook until the berries have thawed and softened and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 6-8 minutes (see Make Ahead).
• Meanwhile, whisk the eggs with the milk and spices in a wide, shallow bowl. Melt a knob of butter in a frying pan over a medium heat.
• When the butter is foaming, dip a slice of brioche in the egg mixture to coat both sides, then add to the pan and fry for 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Do this in batches, setting the brioche aside on a plate while you fry the remaining slices. Wipe the pan clean and add another knob of butter between batches if need be.
• Serve the warm French toast topped with a dollop mascarpone, a generous portion of berry compote and a sprinkling of grated chocolate and orange zest.

BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST WITH BACON, BANANA & MAPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs vigorously, then add the single cream, vanilla and sugar, and whisk again.
• When you're ready to cook, heat the oven to its lowest setting, pop a baking tray inside and pour the cream mixture into a shallow dish or tub that will allow space for the brioche to lay flat. Heat a griddle or a frying pan to a medium heat, and melt the butter and the oil together.
• Place the brioche slices in the cream mixture for 1 min, then turn each slice and gently press all over, allowing them to soak up the liquid for another 1 min or so until fully soaked.
• Remove the brioche from the mixture and place onto the hot griddle or pan (you may need to do this in batches). Cook for a few mins on either side until the inside is tender and moist (but not wet). To check this, make a small cut in the middle with a knife - the inside should be like cooked bread pudding. Keep warm in the oven while you cook the remaining slices.
• In the meantime, fry the bacon in a pan for 5 mins until crispy. Serve the French toast topped with bacon, bananas and a drizzle of maple syrup.

WARM BERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a large, nonreactive saute pan over medium heat, combine 1/4 cup water & 1/2 cup sugar & bring to boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.
• Cook 2 minutes, then add berries, lemon juice & salt.
• Return to boil, then add butter & swirl mixture around in the pan until butter melts.
• Spoon berries along with the sauce onto warmed dessert placts &, if desired, place a small scoop of vanilla ice cream (or yogurt) in center of each plate.
• Serve immediately & enjoy!

CORNFLAKE-CRUSTED BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Slice brioche loaf into eight 1"-thick slices with a serrated knife.
• Using a 3" round cookie cutter, cut each slice into a circle and set aside. (Reserve bread scraps for bread crumbs.).
• In a shallow dish, whisk together half and half, sugar, cinnamon, salt, orange zest, and eggs.
• Put cornflakes into another shallow dish.
• Working with 1 circle of brioche at a time, dip in the egg mixture, allowing brioche to soak for 10 seconds on each side, then coat in the cornflakes.
• Transfer to a sheet tray lined with waxed paper.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of the butter in a 10" nonstick skillet over medium heat until just foaming.
• Transfer 4 slices of brioche to the pan and cook, turning once, until both sides are golden brown, about 4 minutes.
• Divide the french toast between 2 serving plates.
• Wipe out skillet, add remaining butter, and repeat process.
• Dust the french toast with confectioners' sugar and drizzle with maple syrup.
• Serve with berries and sliced fruit, if you like.

STUFFED BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Arrange six slices of the brioche in a baking pan large enough to fit them all comfortably in one layer. Spread each slice with 1 ounce of cream cheese, leaving a one-half-inch border at the edges. Spread each of the other six slices with a heaping tablespoon of jam, and then invert them onto the halves with the cream cheese, making sandwiches.
• In a large bowl whisk the eggs, milk, half-and-half, sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and salt. Pour the mixture over the sandwiches, and let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes, turning the sandwiches once.
• Lightly spray the peaches with oil.
• Prepare the grill for direct and indirect cooking over medium-low heat (about 350°F).
• Brush the cooking grates clean. Tip one sandwich on its side so that any extra liquid runs off. Spray both sides with oil and then place on the grill. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches. Grill over direct medium-low heat, with the lid closed as much as possible until browned on both sides, 6 to 8 minutes, turning once. Move the sandwiches onto a piece of foil placed over indirect medium-low heat, close the lid, and continue cooking until the sandwiches are firm in the centre, about 5 minutes. At the same time, grill the peaches over direct medium-low heat until the flesh is marked and the peaches are warm, 5 to 10 minutes, turning once or twice. Remove from the grill and cut the peach quarters in half lengthwise.
• Serve the sandwiches hot with the peaches on top.