Louisiana Style French Toast Or Pain Perdu Food

FRENCH TOAST OR PAIN PERDU (LOST BREAD)

Steps:

• Scramble eggs with a fork in a shallow bowl.
• Add half and half and continue stirring until the egg and cream are well incorporated.
• Stir in vanilla and salt.
• Using a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
• Place a slice of bread into mixture and turn the bread over to absorb milk mixture on both sides.
• Cook two pieces of french bread slices at a time until golden brown on each side.
• Continue cooking the rest of the bread in a tablespoon of melted butter each time.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar or pour syrup over french bread before serving.

PAIN PERDU: NEW ORLEANS STYLE FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 F. Generously butter a large baking sheet.
• If desired, remove the crusts from bread slices and discard them or reserve them for another use. Set the bread aside.
• In a small bowl, beat the eggs with salt, sugar, milk, and vanilla. Pour into a flat-bottomed dish large enough to accommodate a few slices of the bread.
• Place the bread slices into the dish to soak up some of the egg mixture, a few at a time. Turn with a spatula and let them soak on the other side, but not too long, or they will be too saturated and difficult to turn. Gently remove the soaked bread slices to the buttered baking sheet and continue with the remaining bread slices. Spoon any remaining egg mixture over the slices.
• Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake the pain perdu for 15 to 20 minutes, turning after the first 10 minutes to brown on both sides.
• Serve immediately with melted butter and your favorite honey or syrup.

LOUISIANA STYLE FRENCH TOAST (OR PAIN PERDU)

Steps:

• Beat together the eggs,sugar,and vanilla extract.
• Dip each slice of bread into the batter to coat both sides.
• Drain off excess batter and cook on a hot griddle that has been first sprayed with nonstick butter flavor spray (or brushed with oil).
• Brown well on both sides,but don't let burn.
• Dust with powdered sugar and serve with warm maple syrup on the side.
• Note: You may use any kind of bread you prefer-however,the softer the bread you use, the soggier it will be (I prefer to use day old challah bread or Italian bread slices).
• The number of servings will also vary depending upon the size of your bread slices- I usually serve 2-3 slices per person.

PAIN PERDU ROANOKE (LOST BREAD)

Steps:

• TO PREPARE THE CORNBREAD:.
• Preheat oven to 400; Spray an 8x4x3" loaf pan with nonstick spray.
• In a bowl, add the corn muffin mix, 1 egg, 1/4 cup milk, savory (or thyme) and cayenne.
• Mix according to package directions, then gently fold in the corn.
• Pour into the baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.
• Cool.
• PAIN PERDUE:.
• Slice the loaf of cornbread into 6 even slices, then cut each slice in half diagonally, so you have 12 triangles.
• In a bowl, beat the eggs.
• Add the milk, sugar, nutmeg and vanilla and mix well.
• Pour enough oil into a skillet (or electric skillet) to about 2"; heat to 350.
• Soak the triangles of cornbread in the egg mixture, carefully removing the pieces to the hot oil.
• Fry for 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown, turning once.
• Remove the pieces from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on absorbent paper.
• Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar and serve with maple syrup.
• NOTES: You can substitute your own favorite homemade cornbread recipe for the corn muffin mix (you'll need a recipe that would normally fit an 8x8" pan).
• Just omit the corn muffin mix, the 1/4 cup milk and the 1 egg, prepare your own recipe, then add the corn and cayenne as directed, and proceed with the recipe from that point.

NEW ORLEANS PAIN PERDU

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300°; butter the baking sheet.
• In a shallow dish, whisk the eggs, milk, cream, whiskey, sugar, vanilla, and salt together.
• Dunk the bread slices into the egg mixture and soak them for at least 10 minutes, turning if needed to coat evenly, until saturated but short of falling apart.
• Warm 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil together on a griddle or in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Briefly cook the French toast in batches until golden brown and lightly crisp, turning once.
• Put the first slices on the baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven.
• Continue cooking the remaining slices, adding more butter and oil as needed.
• When all the French toast is ready, dust with powdered sugar.
• Serve immediately with berries and maple syrup, if desired.

PAIN PERDU

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, milk, brandy and orange zest. Beat until thick and foamy.
• Pour mixture into a shallow pan.
• Soak bread slices in the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they are thoroughly soaked through.
• Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Lightly spray griddle with cooking spray.
• Cook the bread slices 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Serve hot.

PAIN PERDU

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar and cinnamon until blended. Arrange the bread in a large shallow baking dish, overlapping the slices if necessary.
• Pour the milk mixture over the bread and let stand for at least 30 minutes, carefully turning the bread with a wide spatula and rearranging it so it is evenly moistened halfway through the standing time.
• Position one oven rack in the upper third of the oven and one in the lower third and preheat the oven to 400°. Put 2 tablespoons of the butter on each of two baking sheets with sides and place in the oven until the butter melts and pans are hot, about 5 minutes. Tilt the pans so the butter covers them evenly. Remove from the oven.
• Place 5 to 6 slices of the soaked bread on each of the hot pans, spacing them evenly. Bake for 15 minutes. Take the pans out of the oven and turn each piece of bread over with a wide spatula. Return the pans to the oven, placing the one from the top rack on the bottom rack on the top, and bake until the bread is puffed and evenly browned, 15 to 20 minutes more.
• Transfer to a platter, dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup, if desired.

CHOCOLATE FRENCH TOAST (PAIN PERDU) BY MELISSA D'ARABIAN

Steps:

• Special equipment: 9 by 5-inch baking dish.
• In a small pot over low heat, add 1/4 cup cream, milk, sugar, 3 tablespoons butter, vanilla, and salt and bring to a simmer. Put the chocolate into a medium bowl and pour in the cream mixture. Let sit until the chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs and mix until well combined. Grease the baking dish with the remaining tablespoon of butter, and it line with the bread slices, overlapping slightly. Pour the chocolate mixture over the bread, making sure to cover the tips. Push the bread down with your fingers to coat the bread completely. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 2 hours. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bake until the custard sets and the bread turns golden at the edges, about 30 minutes.
• Add the remaining cream to a chilled bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Serve the French toast on individual plates with a dollop of cream.

PAIN PERDU (LOST BREAD FROM LOUISIANA)

Steps:

• Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, syrup, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
• Pour the syrup evenly over the bottom of the prepared dish. Arrange the bread slices in the dish on top of the syrup mixture. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt. Pour the mixture over the bread slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°. Uncover the dish and bake for 30 minutes, or until the French toast is lightly browned and slightly puffed. Serve hot.