French Toast Ina Garten Style

During the week my breakfast usually consist of a cappuccino and some avocado toast or an English muffin with a smear of cream cheese and apricot preserves.  But on the weekend I have more time to putter around the kitchen and make the first meal of the day something special.

This morning’s breakfast was inspired by a loaf of leftover Italian bread.  Last night I prepared another “Cooking for Alan” dinner.  Watch for my posts in the week to come that share my experience cooking through Ina Garden’s latest cookbook, Cooking for Jeffrey.  Anyhow, we invited some friends over to share the meal.  When they asked what they could bring I mentioned maybe some wine and bread.  My friend said they’d be happy to bring over “communion”…haha.

Since there were just four of us for dinner and a huge loaf of delicious Italian bread, we were left with several slices to which I said, “This will make excellent french toast in the morning”.  I know it’s a shame that I can be thinking about the next meal in the middle of a meal I’m currently enjoying.  That’s just the food nerd in me.

So that’s exactly what I did this Sunday morning.  I googled Ina Garten French toast and came across this recipe on Epicurious.  Her addition of orange zest was just enough of a twist that made it different from my usual way of using cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla in the egg batter.

I cut the recipe in half for just the two of us and ended up with four thick slices of crispy on the outside, tender on the inside french toast with a hint of freshness from the orange zest. If you’re going to spend the time using great bread and quality ingredients, please use only Grade A real maple syrup to pour on the top.  While it costs a bit more than that fake, thick gooey stuff who’s title starts with “Aunt”, you won’t end up needing as much to add a beautiful drizzle to such a yummy dish.

Ina Garten’s French Toast

 

Hope you’ll give this version of french toast a try. You and your family will be glad you did.