Tag: french toast

Classic French Toast

Well Dined | Classic French Toast

I love to make French Toast this time of year.  My husband loves it, too, he says that my French Toast is the best (so sweet <3).  I think the secret is to definitely use brioche or challah, that plus a million ingredients in the batter – read on!

Well Dined | Classic French Toast

In addition to eggs and cream, I use vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange juice, lemon zest, and sherry.  So many flavors!  It is so worth it.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.  First, either slice the bread (thickly, 1 inch) the night before and leave it out to get stale, or toast it slightly in the morning.  Then make the batter and soak each side of the bread for 10 minutes.  Just before you cook the toast (in butter, of course), sprinkle one side with granulated sugar – this will created a yummy bit of caramelization.  Do the same to the other side before you flip it over to cook.

Well Dined | Classic French Toast

Top with lots of butter and some maple syrup.  Yum.  This is definitely the perfect French Toast – custardy in the middle, little bit of caramelization, lots of flavor. (more…)

Holiday Round-up

If you are starting to panic because Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate) is closing in and you don’t have a dinner plan yet, fear not – I have you covered!  I have a round-up of all of my holiday recipes, from protein to sides to dessert, and even breakfast!  So please enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Well Dined | Holiday Meal

Perfect Roasted Turkey, Apple Sausage Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Cider Gravy

Well Dined | Brined and Roasted Pork

Brined and Roasted Pork

Well Dined | Slow Cooked Cider Ham

Slow Cooked Cider Ham

Well Dined | Dr Pepper Glazed Ham with Prunes

Dr Pepper Glazed Ham with Prunes

Well Dined | Garlic and Herb Crusted Rib Roast with Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus

Garlic and Herb Crusted Rib Roast with Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus (more…)

Brioche French Toast with Bruleed Bananas, Vanilla Cream, and Salted Caramel

Well Dined | Brioche French Toast with Brûléed Bananas, Vanilla Cream, and Salted Caramel

Oh. My. Goodness.  This is the most deliciously decadent thing ever.  I don’t even know whether to call it brunch or dessert, or both.  Buttery brioche french toast, sweet pastry cream made with vanilla bean, and crunchy brûléed bananas topped with a drizzle of salted caramel.  Total epic ridiculousness.

Well Dined | Brioche French Toast with Brûléed Bananas, Vanilla Cream, and Salted Caramel

Step one is to make the vanilla pastry cream.  Bring cream to a simmer with a vanilla bean and then let steep before adding to a mixture of egg yolks, sugar, and flour and cooking until thick and creamy.  It needs to cool completely and then chill, which is why we make it first.

The next step is to make the salted caramel sauce, which is a bit tricky if you have never made one before (I hadn’t).  You have to leave the sugar alone while it melts and colors, and watch carefully for the right moment.  Then you add butter and cream.  The caramel with pop and splutter like crazy, and ball up on the end of your whisk.  You just have to keep whisking over low heat until it all comes together.  Then add in your sea salt and let it cool.

While that is cooling, make your French toast using big, thick slices of brioche (a little stale is better).

Well Dined | Brioche French Toast with Brûléed Bananas, Vanilla Cream, and Salted Caramel

BLOW TORCH TIME.  This is seriously so much fun.  Sprinkle banana slices with sugar and brown with a blow torch.  Easy.  If you don’t have a blow torch, I’m pretty sure that you can use a broiler.

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French Toast Dessert Panini

I am a little bit behind on posting, so to tide you over until I can get myself organized I will show you this super simple and and super tasty snack/dessert.  All you have to do is spread one slice of bread with peanut butter and another with Nutella, then top with some banana and strawberry slices.

Press the slices together and dip each side of the sandwich into a combination of beaten egg, milk or cream, and a little cinnamon.  Cook in a hot pan with melted butter and you are done!  Great for a late night snack, or breakfast with the kiddos – enjoy.