Dad Moms French Toast Food

THE BEST FRENCH TOAST I'VE EVER MADE

Steps:

• Choose your bread. If you like very thick french toast (you should try it at least once!), find a local bakery and get yourself a loaf of challah or brioche bread (buy a day-old loaf if they have it.) I don't like using French bread or the regular loaves you find in the deli at the grocery store; the crusts turn out too chewy. You want a nice soft edge. If you can't get to a bakery, head to the grocery store and buy the thickest and softest white bread you can find. (3/4 inch or thicker.) Texas toast is great. I like to use the Artesano brand of bread; they sell a pre-sliced brioche loaf that is pretty legit. But their white bread is also nice and soft. See photos.
• Slice your bread with a serrated knife if you are working with a whole loaf. See photos. I like my slices to be about 1 and 1/4 inch thick, which feels a little ridiculous, but trust me. You can even go up to 2 inches if you're feeling wild. Don't slice thinner than 3/4 inch.
• Set your bread aside, spread out so that it gets a little dried out. Day old bread is great for French toast. In France, they call this dish "Lost Bread" because it's what you make when you have dried out bread to use up. (I experimented with toasting the bread first, but thought it dried out the finished product too much.)
• Make the egg mixture. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl,* whisk together 3 egg yolks, 1 and 1/2 cups heavy cream* or half & half, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg, if you like. Whisk until it is completely smooth and the cinnamon is well incorporated.
• Pour the mixture into a shallow dish like a pie plate, or an 8x8 inch pan. Place a slice of bread in the mixture and let it sit there for 10 to 20 seconds. How long you soak it depends on how thick your bread is. It should be soft when you touch it, but still hold itself together. Flip the bread and soak the other side. You can start cooking the French toast right away, or you can place the soaked bread on a baking sheet or plate while you finish soaking all of them.
• Cook the French toast: Heat an electric griddle or large 12 inch skillet over medium low heat. When it is hot, add 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or any oil with a high smoke point.) Swirl it around until the pan is coated. Place the French toast on the pan with 1 to 2 inches in between each slice of bread. Cook on medium low heat for 3-5 minutes. The timing depends on your oven or griddle, so stick around and keep an eye on it.
• Caramelize. When the bottom of the first side is LIGHT brown (we are going to cook this side twice), sprinkle about a half tablespoon granulated sugar on the top (raw) side of the bread. Flip the toast, sugar side down, and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes. (Be sure to swirl the pan so oil re-coats it, or add more butter/oil if necessary). Then, sprinkle another half tablespoon of sugar on the cooked side, and flip it over again so that it lightly caramelizes the first side.
• Keep your toast warm. Preheat your oven to the "keep warm" setting, about 170 degrees F. As you finish frying the toast, transfer each one to a wire cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Keep toast warm in the oven until ready to serve.
• I honestly don't even put maple syrup on caramelized French toast. I feel like it doesn't really need it, plus it makes the caramel edge not as crunchy. I like to eat it plain, or with a little jam. But maple syrup is really delicious if you are in the mood! A sprinkle of powdered sugar and a berry garnish never hurt either.
• Keep leftovers stored covered in the fridge. It will keep for 3-5 days. You can reheat leftovers in the microwave or the toaster. Or heat your oven to 350 and heat the toast all together on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, until the toast is warmed, about 5-10 minutes.

MOM'S FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together except for bread.
• Once well mixed coat bread on both sides and drop onto a pre-heated griddle on medium heat.
• Brown each side and serve with your favorite syrup!
• I get about 6 slices of bread into mine, depending on size of bread used.

FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Whisk eggs until frothy.
• Add all other ingredients except bread. Whisk together well.
• Heat griddle over medium heat.
• Dip both sides of bread in egg mixture and place on griddle.
• Turn after a few minutes.
• Continue turning until desired doneness is reached.

MURRAY'S FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• SUGARBUTTER: Using the tines of a fork, mix butter and sugar in a small bowl. Do not beat (you should feel the granules of sugar in the butter). Set aside.
• Beat eggs and milk in a bowl large enough to fit a slice of bread. Heat a small pat of butter in a large pan or griddle over medium heat.
• When butter is melted in pan, dip 1 slice of bread into the egg mixture, flip over, then hold it over the bowl for a second or so to let excess egg drip off. Place into pan and sprinkle with a light dusting of cinnamon. Repeat with other slices (so as to fit on griddle or in pan, may need to do in batches).
• Cook for 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Flip toast and cook remaining side to golden (sprinkle with more cinnamon if desired).
• Place one toast each onto individual plates. Spread sugar-butter over one side (like buttering toast). Place another slice on top and repeat. Continue until you reach the desired stack amount and serve. I love to eat the crust off first, then dive into the center of soft french toast smothered in sugar-butter to divulge into at the end. A mouth-watering experience!

DAD & MOM'S FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Combine all of the ingredients except the bread and blend well.
• Melt a pat of butter on the griddle for each slice of bread.
• Soak the bread in the egg mixture.
• Place a slice of soaked bread on top of a melted butter pat, and cook on low for 15 minutes.
• While cooking, sprinkle each slice with more cinnamon if desired.
• When almost done, place another pat of butter on top of each slice so it starts melting.
• When done cooking, flip the toast over and brown on the other side.
• Serve with hot maple syrup.