French Toast with Ricotta, Orange, and Chocolate

Here is a recipe for delicious Italian-style French toast with ricotta, orange, and chocolate. It is a rich and indulgent variation on the classic French toast recipe.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of homemade or brioche bread
• 2 eggs
• 120 ml of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• Powdered sugar (to taste)
• 200 g of ricotta cheese
• Grated zest of 1 orange
• 50 g of chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
• Butter (as much as needed for greasing the pan)
• Honey or maple syrup (to taste for garnishing)

Preparation

1. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
2. Dip the bread slices in the egg mixture, making sure they are well soaked.
3. Meanwhile, in another bowl, mix the ricotta with the grated orange zest until smooth.
4. Heat a pan over medium heat and add some butter.
5. When the butter is melted and begins to sizzle, add the soaked bread slices and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden and crispy.
6. Stack the French toast on a plate, spread a generous layer of the orange ricotta cream on each slice.
7. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, and if desired, a dusting of powdered sugar.
8. Serve immediately, with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness.

Curiosity

French toast, also known as “lost bread” in some regions of Italy, is a recipe that dates back to the Middle Ages, when stale bread was soaked in milk or egg so as not to waste it. The variation I proposed combines the citrus aroma of orange with the sweetness of chocolate and the richness of ricotta for a truly Italian touch.