French Toast Fondue 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.

FRENCH TOAST FONDUE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F In a bowl, whisk together sugar, milk, eggs, 3 tablespoons butter and cinnamon. Gently toss bread in mixture until coated well.
• Spread remaining butter on a rimmed nonstick baking sheet. Add bread cubes in a single layer and bake 12 to 15 minutes. Use a spatula to remove baked cubes from pan and serve immediately with syrup, dipping sauce and toppings.
• To make apricot dipping sauce, combine jam and orange juice and microwave 1 minute; stir until smooth.

THE BEST FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, whisk together the first 7 ingredients. Preheat a greased griddle over medium heat., Dip bread in egg mixture, letting it soak 5 seconds on each side. Cook on griddle until golden brown on both sides. Serve with toppings as desired.

BREAKFAST FONDUE

Steps:

• Combine peaches, maple syrup, cream cheese, vanilla and cinnamon in a blender or food processor, and with an adult watching purée on high until smooth. It's okay if there are a few lumps of cream cheese showing; they will disappear when you cook the peach mixture in the next step.
• Pour the mixture into a pot. If you are allowed to use the stove, warm it over medium- high heat, stirring often, until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. If you aren't allowed to use the stove, have an adult help you.
• Serve in a big bowl surrounded by whole-grain pancakes, waffles or French toast fingers, or a combination, for dipping. Use your fingers to dip, but remember, no double-dipping. Serving Size: 1/2-cup fondue; 3 whole-grain mini-pancakes, mini-waffles or French toast fingers.

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.

BUTTERMILK FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200°F.
• Whisk together buttermilk, eggs, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Pour into a large 4-sided sheet pan, then add bread in 1 layer and soak, turning occasionally, until bread has absorbed all liquid but is not falling apart, about 20 minutes.
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides. Transfer 4 bread slices with a slotted spatula to skillet and cook, turning once, until slightly puffed and golden brown, about 3 minutes total. Transfer to a large shallow baking pan and keep warm in oven. Cook remaining bread in 2 batches, adding 1 1/2 tablespoon butter between batches.