Sunday Brunch #2: Best French Toast with Strawberry Sauce

Whether you serve this French toast for Sunday brunch or a lazy Saturday morning breakfast, everyone will be wowed by this simple but richly delicious treat.  I used a brioche style Pullman loaf that I sliced myself to make the French toast.  Of course pre-sliced sandwich bread will work, but these thicker slices and the fresh from the bakery flavor makes for a tastier French toast.  Challah bread is another good alternative.  Cook time will depend on the thickness of the bread. Less time for thinner slices, and a bit more cooking time for anything thicker than the 1 inch slices I used here. 

Serves: 3 people, 2 slices of toast per person

Ingredients:

• Six 1 inch thick slices of bread (I used brioche style Pullman bread)
• 1-2 Tbs. unsalted butter, divided
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 Cup milk
• 1/4 Cup heavy cream
• 1 Tbs. ground cinnamon
• A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 tspn. Vanilla or almond extract

For strawberry sauce:

• 1/2 lb. fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• zest from 1/2 of a lemon
• juice from 1/2 of a lemon
• 1-3 strawberries reserved for garnish (optional)

Method:

1. In a small saucepan combine strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice, stir to mix. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer.  Stir occasionally until sauce is thick enough that it coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
2. In a large shallow baking dish whisk together eggs, milk, and cream. Whisk in cinnamon, nutmeg, and extract.
3. Place 2-3 bread slices in egg mixture. Let stand for at least 10 seconds, and flip bread and let stand for another 10 seconds.
4. Heat a griddle or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Melt butter in pan and add 2-3 bread slices, being careful not to overcrowd griddle or pan.
5. Cook french toast on each side until brown, 1-2 minutes per side.  Add more butter in between batches if needed.
6. Serve with strawberry sauce spooned over french toast .  You can also serve with powdered sugar and/or maple syrup.

Try different flavor combinations to make it your own recipe.  I really like using a little orange extract in the egg mixture.  A reduction with peeled apple slices and cinnamon would also be great over the toast.