Sometimes the things that are so inexpensive and simple to make, are also the tastiest. Cornflakes with ice-cold milk. Jam sandwiches. Jacket potatoes with lots of butter, and... French toast! Even now just thinking about biting into a warm slice of straight-out-of-the-pan French toast, it brings back such wonderfully comforting memories.
Because different versions of French toast exist around the world in some form, there's a good chance that at some point in our childhoods, will have savoured the great taste of French toast which takes us right back to family mealtimes, diners, and maybe even helping our parents to prepare it as it was something that was super-simple to do, only needing supervision when it came to the frying!
What's French Toast?
French toast is a very simple dish of sliced bread dipped into an egg and milk mixture and then fried in oil or butter. As it's a good way of using up stale bread, it's a good and delicious way of cutting down on food wastage - but the birds might hate you for it!
And it's a snack type dish?
It can be but it's most commonly served for breakfast, especially in America where it's served with bacon and eggs and is a great start to the day! But yes it can be served as a snack, and in some countries it's even a dessert.
It seems to have found its way all over the world but it was created in France, right?
We don't know know if French toast has its origins in France. It's believed that French toast goes as far back as the days of the Roman Empire, with the earliest form of French toast believed to have originated as early as the fourth century, when a recipe was found among a collection of Latin recipes. Although it probably wasn't called French toast then! It was believed to have been called pan dulcis.
Goodness, people have been eating this dish for a very long time! So where did it get the name 'French toast' then?
Again we don't know for sure. But the dish is believed to have got its name in seventeenth century England. The recipe, along with the name, found it's way to America via the early settlers. But the term 'French Toast' first appeared in print in the Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink back in 1871.
Well that's one theory as to how French toast got its name.
So what's the other theory then?
Well despite having it's origins in ancient Rome, legend has is that a man by the name of Joseph French created French toast as we now know it back in 1724 in Albany, New York - which might explain why many Americans claim French toast as their own! The inkeeper advertised this dish as 'French Toast' and not the more grammatically correct French's toast and thus began the confusion which has lasted to present day as to whether or not French toast actually came from France!
Well French toast has a nicer ring to it than French's toast! And there are other names for French toast, aren't there?
Indeed there are! In Sweden, Finland and Norway, French Toast is known as 'poor knights' which originated from the fourteenth century German name for this dish, Arme Ritter. But French toast also goes by the names of eggy bread; Gypsy toast; French-fried bread, Bombay toast, Poor Knights of Windsor, Spanish toast, nun’s toast, and pain perdu in France.
That's a lot of names! Is there only one standard recipe for French toast?
While French toast is essentially slices of bread dipped in an egg mixture and fried, this dish can be either sweet or savoury, and can be served in a variety of ways depending on personal preference and which country you're in, as many countries have their own version of French toast and their own way of serving it.
So let's hear some of these ideas!
Well in the good ol' US of A, French toast is usually served with butter, maple syrup and powdered sugar - a good alternative to pancakes or waffles - alongside eggs and sausage or bacon. In Britain, savoury French toast is said to be eaten with ketchup (though I've never seen it nor tried it! - Angel!) While we reckon the Scots do it best by serving it up as a type of sausage sandwich. Yum! New Zealanders serve French toast with bananas, bacon and maple syrup. And in France, pain perdu is a dessert, not something served for breakfast. And in Brazil it's served as dessert at Christmas time.
French toast can be eaten at any time of day and served with anything you fancy. Other popular toppings also include jam: chocolate or caramel sauce; stewed fruit; honey, peanut butter, mascarpone; applesauce; whipped cream; fresh fruit; yogurt, or ice cream. And if you wanted to go down the savoury route, you could try can be melted cheese, creamy mushroom, brown sauce or gravy.
Some great suggestions there. Does it matter what kind of bread you use?
Not really. Some of us might remember that growing up, French toast was usually made with regular sliced white. But you can use whatever leftover bread you have that needs to be used up - sourdough; challah; cinnamon bread; spiced fruit loaf... It's all guaranteed to be delicious!
Are there any different versions of the basic French toast?
French toast has come a long way since our childhood days which seem quite humble when compared to the plethora of creative and imaginative ways to serve up French toast today. It may be quite a simple concept but with so many variations it has become something quite spectacular. Aside from using any kind of bread and toppings you like, French toast can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, so it's more like a French toast sandwich, and then fried. Sometimes it can even be deep fried - even coated in granola or some other kind of cereal to give it that crunchy coating!
Then there are French toast roll-ups that look like mini Swiss rolls. And who said you have to use leftover bread when you can use leftover cake! Yes, you can even get French toast made from pound or bunt cake. Could there be anything more delicious??? And let's not forget French toast casserole which is very much like the British bread and butter pudding but in American it's served for breakfast rather than dessert.
Oh and has anyone ever tried Nigella Lawson's jam doughnut French toast? Amazing! It's like a piece of fried heaven and combined with the jammy fruit sauce, it really hits the spot! Check out our version of this very yummy dish.
Has French Toast influenced other desserts?
Yes it has! Just as some very well-known retro classics have lent their flavours to other desserts, French toast has done the same. There are French toast cupcakes, donuts, pancakes, cookies, tarts, cappuccinos... the list is endless!
Is there a National French Toast Day?
Of course there is! There's a national day for everything! National French Toast Day is celebrated in America on November 28th.
RECIPES
We've got not one, not two, but three French toast recipes for you to try out! The first one is for the savoury French toast recipe that Angel's mum used to make for Angel and her siblings when they were growing up. It was many years before they realized there was actually a sweet version of one of their favourite snacks/breakfasts! There's also a recipe for Mr. D's cinnamon French toast which he used to make for Angel A LOT when she used to fly over to America to visit him. And finally there's our version of the jam doughnut French toast, inspired by Nigella Lawson. Our version is quite different to hers but still very delicious. You can use any fruit you like for the fruit sauce.
For some of you it may be the first time you've ever tried a savoury French toast, and you might be surprised at how tasty it is. You might have a preference but we don't believe that one version is better than the other. They're just different and our preferences are just based on our mood. Which ever one floats your boat the most, we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
All recipes serve 1-2 people
ANGEL'S MUM'S SAVOURY FRENCH TOAST
INGREDIENTS:
2-3 slices of sliced white bread, cut in half 1 large egg 1 tbsp. semi skimmed milk Salt and pepper to taste Oil and butter for frying
METHOD:
Heat a little oil in a frying pan and add the desired amount of butter.
Mix together egg, milk, salt and pepper in a bowl.
Plunge each piece of bread into the egg mixture so that it is well coated on both sides.
When pan is hot, add bread.
Cook until side is golden brown then flip over and cook the other side.
Eat! Simple yet delicious!
Mr. D's Cinnamon French Toast
INGREDIENTS:
2 slices cinnamon bread or cinnamon raisin bread
1 large egg
1 tsp. sugar
A dash of vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Oil and butter for frying
Butter and maple syrup to serve
METHOD:
Heat oil and butter in a pan.
Mix together egg, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla in a bowl.
Coat each side of the bread with the egg mixture.
Put in pan and brown each side.
When cooked, serve with butter and maple syrup.
JAM DOUGHNUT FRENCH TOAST
INGREDIENTS:
French toast:
2-3 slices of sliced white bread, cut in half 1 large egg 1 tbsp. semi skimmed milk
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract Pinch of salt Oil and butter for frying
1 tbsp. Powdered/icing sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Strawberry compote:
1 cup of strawberries, hulled and quartered
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla extract
METHOD:
Place strawberries, sugar and lemon juice in a pan over a medium heat.
As the mixture starts to boil, reduce to a low heat. Stir occasionally.
Once strawberry mixture has reached an almost jam-like consistency, you can take it off the heat.
Mix powdered/icing sugar and cinnamon together until well combined. Then place on a large plate ready to coat the slices of French toast.
Heat oil and butter in a pan.
Mix together egg, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl.
Coat each side of the bread with the egg mixture.
Put in pan and brown each side.
When cooked, take out of pan, and while still warm coat each slice in the powdered sugar mixture.
Serve with butter and strawberry compote.
Photos: Angel's own and Pixabay
Blog graphics: Angel Noire
I grew up on a diet of French toast like a lot of American kids. It really is the perfect breakfast but not something I can have all the time unfortunately.
French toast is one of my fave breakfasts and has been since I was real little. Unfortunately I can't have it all the time but I would if I could!
One of my favorite breakfast foods. My husband and kids also love French toast and it's perfect for weekend or holiday brunch.
French toast is fantastic comfort food and hits the spot every time. My mum's been making that for my sister and I since we were little. It's still one of my fave breakfasts, especially at the weekend. And my favourite version is French toast stuffed with mascarpone and blueberries. Yum! 😋
Forget your regular sliced white, French toast made with brioche is divine!