New Orleans Style French Toast Food

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.

NEW ORLEANS FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast, salt and sugar in warm water.
• Gradually stir in flour, adding only until the mixture refuses to absorb more.
• On a floured board knead the dough for 3-4 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and brush the top lightly with butter.
• Cover with a damp cloth.
• Set the dough aside in a warm place to rise for 1 1/2 hours or until it is double in bulk.
• Butter a baking sheet and sprinkle it with cornmeal, shaking off the excess.
• Punch down the dough.
• Transfer the dough to a floured board and divide it into thirds.
• Roll each portion into an 8 x 13 inch rectangle.
• Roll each rectangle up from the long side, seal and shape ends.
• Place the loaves on the prepared baking sheet and with a sharp knife make several diagonal cuts across the tops.
• Brush lightly with melted butter.
• Let rise in a warm place about 45 minutes.
• Place the bread on the middle rack in oven.
• Place a pan of hot water on bottom of oven.
• Bake at 450 degrees for 5 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 30 minutes.
• Note: Cooking time includes rising times.

NEW ORLEANS FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Beat all ingredients except butter and bread until smooth.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in 10-inch skillet over medium heat until melted.
• Dip several bread slices into egg mixture (stir egg mixture each time before dipping bread).
• Cook about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
• Repeat with remaining bread slices, adding remaining butter as needed.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup if desired.

BAKED FRENCH TOAST, NEW ORLEANS STYLE

Steps:

• Spray a 12 x 8 inch casserole or baking dish with nonstick spray or lightly grease with butter.
• Arrange slices of bread across bottom of dish, completely covering bottom (squeeze in more if the bottom shows).
• In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, half and half, sugar and nutmeg; beat well.
• Pour evenly over the bread, then cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Before baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Uncover, and bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
• Meanwhile, prepare sauce, by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add the pears, and cook 2 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
• In a small bowl, combine water and cornstarch, blending well; add honey and cornstarch to the pears and cook 2 minutes, stirring, or until mixture thickens and is bubbly.
• Serve sauce over French toast.

NEW ORLEANS FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the corn syrup, brown sugar, and butter.
• Cook until butter is melted and the mixture is bubbly.
• Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch pan.
• Arrange the bread in the pan, making 2 layers.
• In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, and vanilla.
• Pour the mixture over the bread. (Can be refigerated over night if desired).
• Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
• Lift edges of the bread with a spatula, and invert onto a serving plate.
• Spoon the sour cream over the toast, and alternate kiwi and strawberries on top.
• Serve immediately.
• I used strawberries only.

BOURBON FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• mix eggs, sugar, salt and bourbon, saving 1/2 cup of bourbon.
• Cut bread into half inch slices and dip into mixture.
• Place into frying pan coated with oil. Or griddle at 350 degrees.
• Fry until crisp and brown, repeating on the opposite side until done.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Dust with powdered sugar.
• Add 1/2 cup of bourbon to maple syrup and serve warm.