USA ~ Almond-Crusted French Toast with Strawberries
French toast -- aka Eggy Bread in the UK, and Pain Perdu in French -- is a popular breakfast food in North America, parts of Europe and Hong Kong. In restaurants throughout the USA and Canada, it's usually thick white bread made especially for this use. Although served as a sweet dish in North America, the savory version, seasoned with salt and pepper, is more common in the UK. In Italy, a variation known as "Mozzarella in Carozza" is served that includes egg-dipped bread and cheese. In Spain, Torrijas, Tostadas or Torradas are typically made during Easter, out of thick slices of bread soaked in milk or wine, dipped in egg, fried and then drenched in spiced honey. In parts of Australia, it is topped with tomato sauce while in other areas, it is still considered to be a sweet dish. In Hong Kong, it's served with honey or a thin syrup. In Brazil, it's mostly used to celebrate a birth as well as Christmas and New Year. In the Southwestern United States, some restaurants will prepare it with Sourdough bread, while New York diners make French toast using thick slices of Jewish challah bread.
ALMOND-CRUSTED FRENCH TOAST WITH STRAWBERRIES
6 servings
12 slices brioche or challah bread
1 cup finely ground, roasted almonds
1 cup fresh strawberries
3 large eggs
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter
For the strawberry topping: Wash, stem and slice strawberries. Toss with sugar and set aside. For the toast: In a large shallow bowl, layer the ground almonds. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt and milk until well blended. Heat butter {1/2 a tablespoon per toast slice} in a large skillet or griddle until butter is melted and foamy. Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, then into the ground almonds and cook over medium heat until lightly browned on both sides - about 3 minutes per side.
Serve warm with strawberry topping.
Source: S's recipe collection