Thursday, May 31, 2012

savory stuffed french toast


Hold on to you pants, everybody. I just made SAVORY Stuffed French Toast.

I could've sworn my brother planted the idea of non-sweet French toast into my head, but he denies involvement. I don't know why... it's totally brilliant. Wherever the idea came from, I don't know why I didn't realize it sooner. French toast is basically eggs and bread. We automatically think of it as a sweet breakfast food... syrup, nutmeg, cinnamon, powdered sugar. But with a base of bread dipped in eggs... the possibilities are not limited to cloying sugary applications. 


I have decided not to make this a recipe post. Mainly because recipes should be more of inspirations than formulas (unless you are baking, of course... then it's all mathy and science). This post is here to plant the idea of savory French toast into your head and let your imagination run wild. 

I will tell you about my version so you get the basics. I started with an unsliced loaf of crusty bread... this particular loaf was studded with roasted garlic, but any wide loaf of bread would work. I cut it into thick slices.... about 1.5" each. I used a paring knife the cut into one side of the bread and created a pocket in the middle of the bread (see photo).


I made a filling by sauteing finely chopped mushrooms, garlic and shallots in olive oil, then stirring in arugula until it wilted. I let this cool then stirred it into some ricotta cheese. I stirred in Parmesan cheese and salt to season. I carefully spooned this mixture into the bread slice pockets.


I then set the bread slices into eggs whisked with a bit of buttermilk and salt and let them soak for about 30 seconds per side, then cooked in a skillet with olive oil and butter until nicely browned on both sides. This was sooooooo delicious. And fun!



So. What kind of savory French toast would you make? Would you stuff it? What with? Would you top it? what with? You could dip your favorite grilled cheese combo into eggs! I would guess any kind of quiche flavors or savory bread puddings would work well. Casseroles, even! I am so excited by this concept... I want to know what you all can come up with! Please share!! And try this at home. You do not have to be a professional (I certainly am not).

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4 comments:

Nupur said...

We make savory French toast all the time in India. In fact I was shocked to find out that they made a sweet version in the US.

It is a very simple thing, where you dip bread into a mixture of {beaten eggs, salt, minced hot chilies, minced onions, minced cilantro} and then pan fry. Tastes great with ketchup :D

Chris Cook said...

That looks good! Sort of like a Monte Cristo sandwich, but with different fillings.

Pavlov said...

Yes, very nice... I need to stop being lazy and do some stuffed French toast...or...just wait until lunch! (code for sleep later) DING! Nice lookin eats Chica!

Kelly @ Barbaric Gulp! said...

I had savory French toast for brunch in New Orleans once...it was topped with a creamy crawfish gravy. YUM.