French Toast Supreme 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.

THE PINGALA CRUNCHWRAP SUPREME

Steps:

• Preheat a nonstick frying pan on low heat.
• Lay the wheat tortilla on a flat surface. Spread the Oat Cheddar in a circle in the center (it doesn't have to be perfect). Place the rice on top of the Oat Cheddar, then the Cashew Queso followed by the chili. Place the 2 tostadas on top of the chili; these will separate the warm layer from the fresh layer and put the "crunch" into the crunchwrap. Layer the fresh ingredients on top of the tostadas: Not-Avocado, tomato, cilantro, scallions and jalapeno.
• Now comes the fold. We are after a 6-sided hexagon shape. Fold one side of the wheat tortilla inward towards the center. Continue to make 5 more folds inward, working in a circle.
• Turn up the heat to medium on the pan. Place the crunchwrap, folds-down, in the pan. (It is important to cook the folded side first to create a good seal on the crunchwrap.) Cook on each side until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Cut in half with a sharp knife, hopefully hearing a crunch. Dip in your favorite creamy dressing, salsa or mayo!
• Bring 2 1/2 cups water to boil in a small pot. Add oats and turn down the heat to low, then simmer until the oats are tender. Pour the cooked oats into a blender along with the nutritional yeast, oil, turmeric, lemon juice, sea salt and garlic powder. Blend until the mixture is very smooth. This is the moment where things can be adjusted to taste, with more salt, nutritional yeast or lemon as you like.
• Place the mixture back into the pot on medium heat. As the mixture is heating, whisk in the tapioca starch. Continue to cook, whisking, until the mixture thickens and reaches a sticky fondue consistency, about 10 minutes Remove from heat and let cool (it will continue to thicken). Put this cheese in sandwiches, crunchwraps or puff pastry. Boom.
• Drain the soaked cashews of excess water. Add the cashews, most of the warm water, and the sweet potato, nutritional yeast, turmeric, oregano, garlic, pepper and cayenne to a blender. Blend on high speed until very smooth, adding more warm water if needed to reach a nacho-cheese-thick consistency. Pour on top of your favorite chips or add to a crunchwrap. Party.
• Place the sunflower oil, parsley, salt, garlic, rosemary, sage, tarragon and onion in a blender and blend on high until a smooth herb oil is produced. Set aside.
• Place the garbanzo beans, peas, nutritional yeast, lemon oil and herb oil in a food processor and process on high speed until what appears to be a bright green guacamole is formed. The mixture should take on a very avocado-like green color while some of the skins of the green peas will remain visible. This is fine, as it more closely resembles a roughly mashed avocado with different hues of green.
• The end product should taste fatty, smooth and rich. Spread as a base for Not-Avocado toast, or serve with chips or in a crunchwrap. Lasts for 1 week or more in the fridge.

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.

BEST OVEN BAKED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with melted butter. Spread any remaining melted butter over bottom of dish.
• Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over melted butter.
• Arrange bread in two layers over brown sugar mixture.
• Beat eggs, milk, and salt in a bowl; pour over bread.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

GRANDMA RE'S BAGUETTE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Butter a 9x13-inch baking pan. Place baguette slices into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Combine half-and-half, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Pour over bread slices, cover the baking pan, and store in the refrigerator, 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Uncover pan. Combine brown sugar, pecans, margarine, and corn syrup in a bowl and spoon over bread mixture, making sure to touch each slice.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, about 40 minutes.

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.

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.

FRENCH TOAST SUPREME

Steps:

• On four slices of Texas toast, place one slice of bacon and one slice of cheese; top with remaining Texas toast. In a shallow bowl, whisk egg and creamer. Dip sandwiches into egg mixture.
• On a hot griddle or large skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook sandwiches for 2 - 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown sprinkle wiht confectioners' sugar if desired. Serve with jam.

FRENCH TOAST SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Place bread cubes in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in milk, half and half, maple syrup, and vanilla until mixture is smooth. Pour cream cheese mixture over the bread; cover, and refrigerate overnight.
• The next morning, remove souffle from refrigerator, and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve warm.

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.