Good Breakfast Season, Any Time of Day
Tis the time of year when all things warm and cozy fit the bill. It was a breakfast for dinner night and I uncharacteristically wanted french toast. I had just finished creating a charcuterie spread so that definitely played into this creation. I’m not one to generally lean “sweet” so giving this a heartier, savorier spin was on deck. You can absolutely use a bread of your choice, but I went with a brioche-y apple bread. The fruit pairing with the ooey-gooey smokey cheese just played perfectly into my charcuteries board vibe. Costco’s Cranberry-walnut would also be aMaZing! Add a really good bacon or a savory sausage to enhance all of the goodness. The apples, the nuttiness of the butter, the maple syrup, and warm and comforting melted cheese…marry perfectly into the very best deliciousness. It’s all the seasons favorites on one fabulous plate.
Get your Ingredients together
Whatever YOUR favorite french toast recipe is…it will work for this dish. If you don’t have one, my go-to is below.
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup milk (or all half & half or plant-based milk)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom or cinnamon (optional)
- 2 teaspoons good vanilla
- generous pinch freshly graded nutmeg
- 8 slices fruited bread
- 4 teaspoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
- 2 cups graded smoked Gouda cheese, Mozzarella or Cheddar would be delish too…and who can resist a good mozz pull, hmmm?
- and don’t forget the Pure Maple Syrup warmed for serving
Good Breakfast Season, Any Time of Day
Tis the time of year when all things warm and cozy fit the bill. It was a breakfast for dinner night and I uncharacteristically wanted french toast. I had just finished creating a charcuterie spread so that definitely played into this creation. I’m not one to generally lean “sweet” so giving this a heartier, savorier spin was on deck. You can absolutely use a bread of your choice, but I went with a brioche-y apple bread. The fruit pairing with the ooey-gooey smokey cheese just played perfectly into my charcuteries board vibe. Costco’s Cranberry-walnut would also be aMaZing! Add a really good bacon or a savory sausage to enhance all of the goodness. The apples, the nuttiness of the butter, the maple syrup, and warm and comforting melted cheese…marry perfectly into the very best deliciousness. It’s all the seasons favorites on one fabulous plate.
STEP BY STEP
Step 1
Preheat oven to 200 F and place a baking sheet on the middle rack
Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat
Step 2
Get ready to whisk together eggs, cream, vanilla, salt, pepper and nutmeg*
*Monica’s Tip: ALWAYS freshly grind your nutmeg. The taste cannot be beaten by the pre-ground stuff in a jar — a microplane/rasp makes it super easy.
Add in your vanilla, cream or half & half (plant-based milks work too – I prefer creamier oat over nut milks), a pinch of salt, a couple turns of fresh grated black pepper and nutmeg. Incorporate well before giving each slice a good custard soak.
Step 3
Add 2 teaspoons of butter and 1 teaspoon of oil to the pan–swirling to combine. Add in the slices of custard-soaked bread and cook for approximately 3 1/2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Transfer to the oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining oil/butter and soaked bread until all the French Toast is cooked.
Using the hot pan/cold pan oil method combine a neutral oil for heat stability and butter…umm…BUTTER! We want that deliciously nutty flavor that develops as it browns.
LOOK at that! I swear you can almost smell it! Transfer toasted slices to a baking sheet and hold in oven on warm until you finish batching all your slices. Don’t forget to repeat the oil/butter melt with each new batch. When finished toasting, remove baking sheet from oven and switch temperature to broil (low is sufficient if the struggle to stay focused on broil is real!)
Generously top each slice with cheese and pop baking sheet under the broiler until it’s melted and bubbly and screaming cheese-pull!
Step 4
Remove the French Toast from the oven and turn on the broiler to high. Generously top each piece with about 1/4 cup of grated cheese. Return to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted, bubbly and lightly golden brown – about 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 5
Give it a douse of warm pure maple syrup and you’re golden. A little sweet…a little savory…breakfasty…dinner-y…any-time-of-day-y and so darn tasty.
Now, what's your alternative??
Make it as a strata. Because let’s get real…who has time to stand over the stove babysitting French toast? This method is great for prepping ahead and feeding a crowd. The only difference is you’re going to cube or tear the bread, layer it with the cheese and pour over the custardy egg mixture. Give it a good 30 minutes (or overnight) to soak up the custard and bake at 350°F. It puffs and rises into pillowy golden fabulousness and portions beautifully. Perfect for brunch or no-fuss holiday morning fare.
Tag us in your creations. You’re going to rock this.
xoxo
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