Free recipes · from Book 1, Eggs, Bread & Pantry Rescue
Pain Perdu (French Toast)
Allergens: WHEAT GLUTEN EGG MILK Brands differ: always check the packaging of what you buy. Sauces made with vinegar or wine are tagged sulphites, to be safe.
"Lost bread": the bread you were about to throw away. Day-old bread drinks the custard without falling apart, so it works better than fresh.
4 thick slices: 2 eggs + 250 ml (1 cup) milk + 1 tbsp sugar
By Chef Aurélie, professional chef
Ingredients
| Metric | US | |
|---|---|---|
| Stale bread, 2 cm (¾ inch) slices | 4 | 4 |
| Eggs (large) | 2 | 2 |
| Milk | 250 ml | 1 cup |
| Sugar (+ a little for the pan) | 1 tbsp | 1 tbsp |
| Vanilla or cinnamon | ½ tsp | ½ tsp |
| Salt | 1 pinch | 1 pinch |
| Butter | 30 g | 2 tbsp |
Equipment: a shallow dish, a large frying pan.
Method
- Whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt in a shallow dish.
- Soak the bread 30 seconds per side (1 minute if very dry): soaked, not falling apart.
- Melt half the butter in the pan over medium heat until it foams.
- Cook the slices 2 to 3 minutes per side, until deep golden. Add the rest of the butter as you go.
- Sprinkle a little sugar on top, flip for 30 seconds to caramelise.
- Serve straight away with fruit, yogurt or maple syrup.
Chef's tip Medium heat, not high. The outside needs time to caramelise while the custard inside sets. Too hot and you get a burnt outside and a wet middle.
5 ways to make it your own
same soak, change the bread, the custard or the finish
| Name | Change | Serve |
|---|---|---|
| Crème brûlée toast | Cream for the milk, sugar on both sides | Caramel crust, berries |
| Savoury pain perdu | No sugar: mustard + cheese in the custard SULPHITES | Ham and a fried egg |
| Overnight tray bake | 8 slices, double custard, rest overnight | 35 min, 180 °C / 350 °F |
| Banana & peanut butter | Fill 2 thin slices with peanut butter + banana | Honey PEANUT |
| Cinnamon sticks | Cut slices into 3 sticks, cook all sides | Roll in cinnamon sugar |