French toast

French toast, also known as “egg bread” or “pain perdu” in French, represent a delightful way to use up stale bread by soaking it in a mixture of milk and eggs and then pan-frying it until it is golden and crispy. Here’s a variation with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of stale bread (sandwich loaf or brioche type)
• 2 eggs
• 120 ml of whole milk
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of vanillin
• 1 pinch of salt
• Butter as needed for cooking
• Powdered sugar (for garnishing)
• Fresh fruit or apricot jam to serve with (optional)

Preparation

1. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the milk, sugar, vanilla and pinch of salt until well-blended.
2. Dip the bread slices in the mixture, making sure to soak them well on both sides.
3. Heat a pan and melt a knob of butter.
4. Cook the soaked bread slices in the pan until they are golden on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
5. Serve the French toast warm, sprinkled with powdered sugar and accompanied by fresh fruit or a drizzle of apricot jam for an Italian touch to the recipe.

Curiosity

Even though they are called “french” toast, this dish is known and appreciated in many parts of the world, and every country has its own local version. In Italy, “fette all’uovo” are often enriched with jams or spread cream for breakfast or brunch.