It contains rum. Oh yes! Rum essence, not alcohol, hold your horses over there which my grandma used to put in always – love that aromas even now, luckily, hubby and kids love it too.
These were almost made entirely by Andrei as a practice attempt for his cooking classes – he had to make French toast the next day in school for his technology class.
He decided he wanted to practice first using mummy’s granny recipe. Not a bad result, right?
So, twisted because of the rum addition and twisted also because these were made by my 13-year-old son who despite managing very well for the first time he has twisted some steps here and there but I’m telling you it came out a real treat reinforcing the belief that there are no real rules when making a French tast.
We have far too many life rules otherwise therefore at least when we get into the kitchen we can enjoy and relax. That’s exactly my attitude toward cooking and I feel good about it hence my joy, pleasure and great time I’m having every time I’m entering the kitchen.
The kitchen is my place of reward, mental relaxation and creativity it’s my world. I have other passions too like drawing, painting, listening to music, reading psychology. Unfortunately, I haven’t got the time for everything but will thrive to take some time for drawing which I have been saying I will for quite some time now. I’m not particularly religious but I enjoy drawing Jesus and Mary’s faces. Not quite sure why that is. Those have an extraordinary calming and inner relaxation effect on me.I will show you some of these once I will get it started. Hopefully really soon!
I’m so lucky cooking is one of my passions as cooking is such a must in life. I’m lucky I like it as many people hate cooking or spending time in the kitchen altogether. My mum is the best example, she’s a great cook but she does not enjoy being in the kitchen whatsoever. She would rather do gardening all day long which is her hobby and she really enjoys. Gardening, is not for me though, funny!
Grandma’s twisted French toast or ‘frigănele’
This French Toast is so simple that even my 13 year old made it as a first attempt – It is amazing what you can do with just a few ingredients. Served hot - yummm.
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 220 ml whole milk
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp rum or vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 6 slices of brioche
- 1-2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
- 1 tsp icing sugar
- 1-2 tbsp toasted sunflower seeds
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon optional
- Some fruits of your choice optional
Instructions
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In a large bowl, whisk the eggs together with the milk, sugar, rum or vanilla, salt, and cinnamon if you choose to use.
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Slice the brioche loaf into 2 cm (3/4 inch) thick slices and deep into the egg mixture, until both sides are well coated. Do not allow it to soak as it will make the bread way too soggy.
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Place a large frying pan or a skillet over medium heat with approximately 1 tsp of butter and 1 tsp of rapeseed.
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Place the egg coated slices in skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Add a little more butter and a drizzle of oil while cooking if needed.
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Remove the cooked golden in colour slices and set aside until all finished.
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Sprinkle the finished slices with some more unrefined sugar ( I used some icing sugar this time) and top with some fruits if you like, or with slightly warmed up maple syrup or honey, whatever you fancy. Adjust the level of sweetness as you desire but definitely go for a generous sprinkle of sunflower seeds
Recipe Notes
We sometimes feel that we need to get really naughty and give those a thin coating with Nutella or less naughty a good smudge of any nut butter, peanut butter is great too.
Other times we feel like being really good and remain that good example of being healthier so that the kids do not think otherwise and smush some strawberries that are mixed with a good sprinkle of brown sugar.
If you do not have brioche, do not worry. I normally use seeded bread and in fact, I prefer it for extra texture. Use any bread you like or have.
There are quite a few pretty fancy variations on this recipe in terms of bread types that you could use such as white bread, whole wheat, cinnamon and raisin, Italian or French breads, they are all pretty good.
Brioche is already sweet but if you use other bread you might want to add a little extra sweetness to the egg mixture.
Oh, these are soooo good. Seriously, I could eat them all day, every day.
Do you like eggs a lot? Here is also a recipe that you might like for a savoury option thats absolutely to die for.
This is such a beautiful recipe.The french toast looks scrumptious. Family recipes are the best. I love your cooking philosophy, “In general, in our house, there are no real rules when it comes to cooking. It’s all freestyle and how the moment dictates.” That is how it goes in my kitchen as well.
Hi Katie,
Thank you so much. Absolutely! Spontaneous freestyle cooking is best. The recipes that come out from this sometimes are incredibly nice. The whole idea is to get creative, the rest is all a surprise 😊👌
Oh wow! If rum extract wouldn’t elevate simple French toast, I don’t know what would! Well done for a 13 year old to make these beauties! They are perfectly golden brown!
Thank you soo much Beth 🤗. I so agree with you on the rum bit. It’s soo good!
Oh, my son was way proud of his work and so was his mother 😉🤗
This french toast looks SO comforting! Definitely one of my favorite breakfast dishes.
Thank you so much Amanda Xx
This looks perfect for brunch, like the idea of the flavorings in the egg custard and the seeds are a nice touch too.
Thank you so much Caroline 🤗
Wow Ramona, that brioche French toast looks scrumptious, I definitely like French toast better with brioche than bread. I’m very tempted to go for the naughty way with Nutella, lol!
Hi Patty and thanks a lot. Oh, definitely go naughty- worth every mouthful🤤, my kids will persuade and convert you in a second. Lol😂