Savory French toast

Savory French toast is a variation of the well-known sweet breakfast dish typical of American or French cuisine (where it is known as pain perdu). In this version, we can add an Italian twist, perhaps by adding typical ingredients like cheese and ham. Here’s the recipe for two people:

Ingredients

• 4 slices of sandwich bread or stale bread
• 2 large eggs
• 100 ml milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 40 g grated cheese (Parmesan or Pecorino, according to preference)
• 4 slices of cooked or raw ham
• Butter or olive oil for the pan
• Aromatic herbs to taste (for example, thyme or rosemary)

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the milk, grated cheese, salt, and pepper until you get a homogeneous mixture.
2. Soak the slices of bread in the egg mixture, making sure they are well moistened on both sides.
3. Heat a pan over medium heat and add a bit of butter or olive oil.
4. Once the butter has melted or the oil is hot, lay the slices of bread in the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until the French toasts are golden and crispy.
5. Halfway through cooking, you can add the slices of ham to the surface of each French toast, letting them warm up and integrate with the dish.
6. Serve hot, with an additional sprinkle of cheese if desired, and garnish with freshly chopped aromatic herbs.

Curiosity

French toast originated as a recipe to recover stale bread: the addition of eggs and milk allowed softening the bread and making it palatable again. Over time, this preparation has become popular in many cultures with various variants, both sweet and savory.

I suggest pairing these delicious savory French toasts with a nice fresh salad, maybe arugula and tomatoes, dressed with olive oil, salt, and a touch of balsamic vinegar to counterbalance the richness of the French toast with a bit of acidity and freshness. Enjoy your meal!