Strawberry Rhubarb Stuffed French Toast Food

STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In large saucepan, toss together strawberries, rhubarb, sugar and vanilla. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently until mixture is thickened and reduced, about 12-15 minutes.
• Spread 2 tablespoons of butter onto slices of bread. Spoon compote on 4 of slices, on top of butter.
• In large skillet or fry pan, heat remaining butter over medium heat.
• In wide shallow bowl or pan whisk together eggs and milk. Dip compote-topped slices into egg mixture (but do not submerge it) and transfer to hot skillet. Dip remaining slices butter-side up into egg mixture and place butter-side down on top of compote-topped slices. Cook on each side 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
• Serve immediately with whipped cream, additional strawberries and powdered sugar, if desired

STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the cream cheese and beat until smooth. Add the jam and a pinch of salt and continue to beat until thoroughly combined. Using a paring knife, make a slit in each bread slice about 2 to 3 inches long and deep; this pocket will hold the filling. Using an offset spatula, divide and stuff the filling equally into the pockets, making sure it's not a big lump. Set aside.
• In a shallow dish, add the eggs, milk, vanilla extract and almond extract. Mix with a fork until combined. Dip the challah into the mixture, turning to coat both sides. Let sit and soak while you heat your butter.
• In a large nonstick skillet, add the butter and heat over medium heat until it begins to foam. Add the challah, allowing any excess egg mixture to drip off, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, flipping once, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Place the French toast on a serving dish. Serve with a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk and garnished with strawberries.
• In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, orange zest and salt and whisk together. In a medium bowl, whisk together the water, orange juice, oil and 2 of the eggs.
• Add the wet to the flour mixture; stir to combine. Knead, either by hand on a floured surface or with a dough hook on medium speed for 7 to 10 minutes, adding more flour as necessary (but resist any urge to add too much!), until you have a smooth and slightly sticky dough.
• Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until doubled in size, about 2 hours. (Alternatively, chill the dough in the refrigerator overnight, then let stand at room temperature for 1 hour before shaping.)
• Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Divide each into 3 logs and braid. Place on 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly apart. Cover loosely and let rise 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the loaves with egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake until they are golden and have an internal temperature of 190 degrees F; begin checking for doneness at 18 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly and enjoy. (Challah is best eaten within 24 hours. After that it's ok if you toast it or use it for French toast. It also freezes well!)

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Mix 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest with 3 tablespoons sugar; toss about a third of the lemon-sugar with 3 cups halved strawberries. Make the egg mixture for Perfect French Toast (see Cook's Note); add 4 split English muffins and soak, 5 minutes, then fry and bake as directed. Sandwich some strawberries and more lemon-sugar between the muffin halves. Top with yogurt, more berries and a drizzle of honey.

CHOCOLATE AND STRAWBERRY STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla. Set aside.
• Place 1 tablespoon of ricotta in the center of 4 of the pieces of bread and spread around slightly. Top with about 6 slices of strawberries and a teaspoon of chocolate chips. Cover each with another piece of bread to make a "sandwich".
• Spray a large nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray and preheat. Carefully dip each of the "sandwiches" into the egg mixture until completely moistened. Then place on the skillet and cook over a medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the outside is golden brown and the center is warm and chocolate is melted.
• Transfer to serving places. Top with remaining strawberries and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

COCONUT-CARDAMOM FRENCH TOAST WITH RASPBERRY-RHUBARB COMPOTE

Steps:

• Compote
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Gently combine rhubarb and raspberries in a shallow baking dish that will hold them snugly. Scatter sugar over and add cardamom. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into a small bowl and set aside for making the French toast. Add vanilla pod to dish. Cover with foil and bake fruit 15 minutes. Carefully remove foil, stir gently, and roast, uncovered, until fruit is beginning to collapse but is still bright pink, about 10 minutes more. Remove baking dish from oven; pluck out cardamom pods and vanilla pod and discard. Let cool (juices will thicken as compote cools). Do ahead: Compote can be made 3 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.
• Filling
• Bring cream, coconut, sugar, and salt to a boil in a medium heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring. Cook, stirring often, until thickened to a paste and pale yellow (sound should turn from bubbling to a faint sizzle and there should be very little liquid remaining), 6-8 minutes. Scrape into a bowl and let cool. Do ahead: Filling can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.
• French toast and assembly
• Reduce oven temperature to 200°F. Pour sugar evenly into a shallow baking dish large enough to accommodate 4 slices of bread. Using your fingers or a spoon, press pods and seeds into sugar, then scrape in reserved vanilla bean seeds and work into sugar. Add milk. (For the fullest flavor, combine spiced sugar and milk in a heatproof jug or bowl and microwave until steaming, 30-60 seconds. Let sit 5 minutes to infuse, then pour back into dish.) Whisk in eggs, cream, almond extract, rose water, and salt.
• Divide coconut filling among 4 slices of bread (about 3 Tbsp. each). Spread in an even layer, leaving a thin border at edges. Top with a second slice of bread to form sandwiches. Lay sandwiches in custard and let soak 2 minutes. Gently turn over and let sit while you heat the pan.
• Melt enough butter or pour in oil to thinly coat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook 2 sandwiches until evenly golden, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer French toast to a baking sheet and keep warm in oven. Repeat with remaining 2 sandwiches.
• Bake French toast 5 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to plates. Top with raspberry-rhubarb compote, maple syrup, and other toppings as desired.

STRAWBERRY-STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, yogurt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Spread 2 tablespoons on 4 slices of bread; top with remaining bread to make 4 sandwiches. Beat eggs, milk and remaining vanilla; dip sandwiches. , In a large skillet, melt butter. Toast sandwiches until golden brown on both sides. To serve, top each sandwich with 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture and 1/4 cup strawberries.