French toast is a hugely popular meal for breakfasts and brunch that is enjoyed on a daily basis by many people all around the World. There are many variations and different names that all more-or-less represent the same dish, such as eggy bread, German toast, Bombay toast, poor knights and pain perdu, which translates to lost toast. As suggested by this latter descriptive name, French toast often makes use of old, stale bread alongside some staple fridge and cupboard ingredients, making it a great household recipe to call upon when in need of a nice cooked breakfast. However, that’s not to say that this simple dish can’t also be elevated into an indulgent brunch to be enjoyed at countless cafes, restaurants and diners globally.
What is french toast?
Long story short: french toast is a slice of bread dipped in an egg and milk mixture, which is then cooked. To elaborate on this, any type of bread sliced bread may be used, although slightly and old and stale bread is preferable since it is firmer than fresh bread and therefore holds together better when soaked and cooked. The eggs are whisked together with milk, with a high-fat content being better, or even cream – possibly some combination of the two. This mixture is usually flavoured with a pinch of salt, a spoonful of sugar and some flavourings such as cinnamon or vanilla, although it can be kept plainer if toppings are to be added later. The bread is then soaked in the egg and milk mixture then cooked in oil or butter in a frying pan or on a griddle and served with various accompaniments.
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How to make french toast – recipes
To make enough for 2 large slices of French toast, which will feed either two people or one hungry person, whisk one large egg with a quarter of a cup / 60 ml of milk (or cream, interchanged according to personal preferences) in a shallow dish. Add a pinch of salt, half a teaspoon of vanilla extract, a quarter of a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and an optional teaspoon of granulated or powdered sugar (depending on the desired toppings to be added later). Dip the slices of bread into the egg and milk mixture to soak, turning the bread to cover both sides and incorporate all of the ingredients. Heat a tablespoon of butter or oil in a frying pan and then add the soaked slices of bread. Fry for 3 minutes on each side until cooked golden and crispy, then serve immediately while still hot.
Popular french toast toppings
Now that the bread is cooked, it’s time to improve the final dish with a wide variety of additional flavourings. A simple choice to go with an unsweetened egg and milk mixture is to dust the French toast lightly with powdered sugar, or to drizzle with maple or golden syrup. French toast can also be covered with chocolate sauce or topped with a variety of fruits, such as blueberries, strawberries or slices of kiwi.
