Sunday, September 12, 2010

Caramelised French Toast with Raspberry Compote


Caramelised French Toast with Raspberry Compote 1, cropped & edited

At I Heart Cooking Clubs we continue cooking (for just a few weeks more) with Mark Bittman, and our theme this week was "Damn, that's Sexy!"  An opportunity to cook (or have someone cook for you) the food that really turns you on.  What's your idea of sexy food?  Chocolate - goes without saying; some fresh fruit - almost any berries, mango, figs, pomegranate, papaya; certain seafood - oysters, scallops, lobster, and crab would all be on my list.  Also high up on my list of "sexy" is having breakfast in bed, and staying in bed until midday - even if you're on your own.  In fact, in my opinion, treating yourself to something special when you're dining alone is the ultimate indulgence (you may have read some of my earlier posts about solitary pleasures here and here).

But I digress.  It's been a funny old week here in Christchurch, and this morning seemed like the perfect time for a bit of self-indulgence - time for a big sleep-in, make a bit of breakfast, and retreat back to bed for a couple of hours.  Mark Bittman's Caramelised French Toast from How to Cook Everything seemed to fit the bill perfectly.  I also took some frozen raspberries out of the freezer to make a warm berry compote to accompany the french toast - now, you can't tell me that's not sexy!

First, you need to start with good, day-old bread - I'm sorry but Tip Top sandwich sliced simply will not do.  I used this Honey Vienna loaf from Vic's Bakery - it has a beautiful chewy texture, and the little bit of sweetness makes it perfect for things like bread puddings and french toast.

Caramelised French Toast with Raspberry Compote 7, cropped

Cut bread into thick slices, and soak in a shallow "bath" of beaten eggs, milk, vanilla essence and sugar.

Caramelised French Toast with Raspberry Compote 6, edited

After a couple of minutes of soaking, turn bread over and sprinkle the top of the bread with brown sugar.  Soak for a couple of minutes longer.

Caramelised French Toast with Raspberry Compote 5, edited

Meanwhile, heat butter in pan over medium-high heat, and when the butter is melted and hot add the slices of bread to the hot pan, sugared side down.  Now sprinkle the other side of the bread with brown sugar.  Cook until the bread is nicely browned on the bottom, then flip over and brown the other side.

Caramelised French Toast with Raspberry Compote 4, edited

While the bread is cooking, put raspberries into a microwave-proof dish and microwave on high for 2 minutes.  Stir, add sugar, and microwave on high for a further 2 minutes.  Stir.

Caramelised French Toast with Raspberry Compote 3, edited

Remove browned toast from the pan to a warm plate and serve immediately, with raspberry compote on the side or spooned over the top.

Caramelised French Toast with Raspberry Compote 2, cropped & edited

Caramelised French Toast with Raspberry Compote Recipe
Adapted from Mark Bittman's
Click here for a printable copy of this recipe

Note:  The original recipe quantities below are for 4 servings - my notes in blue are my adaptations I made to serve one person

2 eggs (1 large free-range egg)
1 cup milk (1/3 cup milk)
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon sugar (1 teaspoon sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
brown sugar
butter for frying
8 slices bread (2 slices bread)

For Raspberry Compote:
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 tablespoon sugar

Break eggs into a shallow bowl.  Add milk, salt, sugar and vanilla extract, and beat lightly to combine.

Cut bread into thick slices, and add to the "eggy bath".  Allow to soak on one side for a couple of minutes.

Turn over and sprinkle thickly with brown sugar on the top side.  Soak for another couple of minutes.

Meanwhile, heat butter in pan over medium-high heat, and when the butter is melted and hot add the slices of bread to the hot pan, sugared side down.  Now sprinkle the other side of the bread with brown sugar.  Cook until the bread is nicely browned on the bottom, then flip over and brown the other side.

While toast is cooking, put raspberries into a microwave-proof bowl, cover and microwave on high for 2 minutes.  Stir, add sugar, and microwave on high for another 2 minutes.

Remove browned toast from the pan to a warm plate and serve immediately, with raspberry compote on the side or spooned over the top.

Eat alone or with someone you love!

For other great Mark Bittman recipes visit my friends at I Heart Cooking Clubs or get the book:

How to Cook Everything, Completely Revised 10th Anniversary Edition: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food

10 comments:

  1. I'm not sure if this is sexy or just sex on a plate. Either way. I'm enamored.

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  2. Oh my...this is super sexy!! I'd love to wake up to this kind of sexy ;) Just the loaf of bread alone had me hooked, though...love the brown sugar in there...I've never made french toast this way. Beautiful =)

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  3. Definitely sexy, and I am glad I am in good company - knowing that comfort food is sexy!
    I love that compote too, mmmm.

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  4. Thanks everyone for your lovely comments - please to see this one got you all going :-)
    Sue

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  5. Breakfast in bed! Now, that's sexy!!

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  6. Indulging in such a wonderful breakfast is really sexy!! I love how this recipe has the brown sugar sprinkled on top. It looks so caramelized and tasty. This is a recipe that I will have to keep in mind.

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  7. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who gets hot and bothered by sumptuous food! This recipe will definitely go on the list of brunch items to prepare....when the kids aren't around :)

    Love your site!
    Thanks for all the hard work.

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  8. Debbie & Kim - so pleased you appreciate the sexiness of breakfast (especially in bed)!

    Kim - the caramelised sugar was a really nice twist I hadn't tried before - I really liked it and will definitely do it again.

    Michele - thanks so much and, yes, for sure one to make when you send the kids away for the weekend.

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  9. Ahh Breakfast in Bed. I'll have to make a request to my husband. :) I love French toat, but this looks especially good. I think you win for sexy meal.

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  10. City Share - this is great, but even better if you can get someone special to make it for you :-)
    Sue

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