French Toast Ala South Beach 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.

MOCK FRENCH TOAST - SOUTH BEACH FRIENDLY (PHASE ONE)

Steps:

• - Bring egg to room temperature or place in warm water for about 5 minutes.
• - Place all ingredients in blender and blend thoroughly
• - Ladle or pour into small pan (coated with cooking spray) on med to high
• - You can either go for thin crepes or do as I do:
• scramble loosely, then form into a pancake shape
• - Once in desired shape you can press down to cook out some of the moisture and brown slightly.
• - Serve with no sugar added Pancake Syrup and added cinnamon if desired
• Notes:
• - You can go as far an the pre-browning stage in pre-prep and just brown to finish.
• - I made 3 large pancakes, but imagine you can get 4 or so medium sized ones.

FRENCH TOAST ALA SOUTH BEACH

Steps:

• Heat skillet and spray with butter flavored cooking spray.
• Dip bread into egg eeaters.
• Put bread onto heated skillet and flip when browned.
• When plated, sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, honey, and salt. You may do this the night before. When ready to cook, pour custard mixture into a pie pan and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Dip bread into mixture, allow to soak for 30 seconds on each side, and then remove to a cooling rack that is sitting in a sheet pan, and allow to sit for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a 10-inch nonstick saute pan. Place 2 slices of bread at a time into the pan and cook until golden brown, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from pan and place on rack in oven for 5 minutes. Repeat with all 8 slices. Serve immediately with maple syrup, whipped cream or fruit.

SOUTH BEACH THAI SHRIMP SOUP WITH LIME AND CILANTRO

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot.
• Add ginger and onion.
• Cook, stirring frequently for about 3 minutes.
• Add broth and red pepper flakes and bring to a low boil.
• Add cabbage and cook for approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add shrimp, lime zest and lime juice.
• Cook just until shrimp turns pink.
• Serve hot sprinkled with cilantro or scallions.

SOUTH BEACH ASIAN COLE SLAW

Steps:

• Mix dressing, peanut butter and soy sauce in a large bowl with a wire whisk until well blended.
• Add coleslaw mix; toss to coat. Cover.
• Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
• Top with peanuts just before serving.

LEMON CHEESECAKE - SOUTH BEACH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400.
• Coat a 10" springform pan with cooking spray and line the sides with a double layer of 6"-wide (high) waxed paper.
• In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, blend the ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, 1/2 cup of the sugar substitute, and sugar until smooth. Beat in the cornstarch, lemon juice, flour, eggs, and 2 teaspoons of the vanilla extract. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until the top of the cake is brown.
• Turn the oven off and allow the cake to remain in the oven for 1 hour longer.
• In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar substitute, and the remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Spread over the cheesecake and return to the oven for 10 minutes, or until the topping is set. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight before slicing.

VEGETABLE QUICH CUPS TO GO (SOUTH BEACH)

Steps:

• Microwave spinach on high for 2.5 minutes.
• Put 12 baking cups in a muffin pan.
• Spray cups with non-stick cooking spray.
• Combine all ingredients and mix well.
• Spread into muffin cups evenly.
• Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

SOUTH BEACH OVERNIGHT SLAW

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar substitute, lemon juice, vinegar, celery seed and garlic salt. Add cabbage & slice green onions. Toss lightly, cover and refrigerate overnight. Add sliced radishes immediately before serving.

TOAST-LESS FRENCH TOAST - SOUTH BEACH PHASE 1

Steps:

• Warm a small frying pan over medium heat with 1 TBS of butter or spread. If using unsalted spread, I recommend adding the tiniest bit of sea salt - it gives the outside a nice complimenting flavor.
• Combine egg, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a bowl - use a fork to whip together.
• Once butter or spread starts to bubble, pour in the egg mixture.
• Once the egg is mostly cooked on the bottom, use your chef skills to flip it out of the pan and over (one large pancake shape is the ultimate goal). If you aren't a chef (and I'm not either) do your best to get it over in one piece.
• Once firm, it is done.