French Toast

Serves: —

main vegetarian bread

Ingredients

  • thick sliced bread, brioche or challah
  • eggs (one for every 2-4 pieces, depending on how custardy you want them)
  • cream (roughly equal quantity with the eggs, plus more for whipping if you want)
  • sugar (maybe a teaspoon per egg)
  • salt (one little pinch per egg)
  • vanilla (eyeball a splash)
  • cinnamon (eyeball it, if you want it)
  • 113 g clarified butter or regular butter (1 stick)
  • 40 g panko or cornflake crumbs (maybe 1/4 cup per slice)
  • berries, maple syrup, any other accoutrements

Instructions

  1. Dry the bread slices by either leaving them spread out overnight, or toast them with low heat. Let them cool down after toasting.
  2. If needed, clarify butter by gently melting it, boiling off the water, and straining.
  3. Beat eggs, cream, sugar, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth. Pour into a wide vessel for dipping.
  4. Spread crumbs on a plate and grind them down into a finer texture if using panko.
  5. Heat clarified butter in a pan over moderate heat.
  6. Dip bread slices into custard to desired level of absorption.
  7. Dip wet slices into crumbs on both sides, then fry until golden brown on both sides.
  8. Transfer slices to oven and bake until cooked through and crispy, 5-10 minutes. Top with desired toppings.