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Orange-Zest French Toast (with Brûlée) - plus vegan switch-outs

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Let's take french toast-making to the another level, by soaking bread in orange juice and zest, and if you have a kitchen torch on-hand, we'll top brulee each piece.
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Author: Mili Takashima

Ingredients

for French Toast

  • up to 8 slices bread of your choice I tend to use sourdough because I like the way it holds up.
  • 3 large eggs for vegan: it is not necessary to use eggs or an egg substitute. I like to add them for texture when not cooking vegan.
  • 1 orange zest of one orange
  • 1 cup orange juice I chose either orange or peaches for my examples.
  • 1/3 cup milk for vegan: use a vegan-alternative milk.
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar If you're trying for a free of refined sugar alternative, try organic, local honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon optional
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
  • 1 tablespoon pat of butter for the skillet when cooking for vegan: use a vegan-alternative butter.

for Brûlée topping

  • granulated sugar
  • kitchen torch

Instructions

Orange Zest French Toast

  • For the Classic recipe: Get a bowl to combine the ingredients to soak the bread to include: eggs, orange zest, orange juice, sugar, milk, and optional cinnamon and vanilla.
    For the Vegan-version of this recipe, you'll combine the following ingredients: orange zest, orange juice, sugar, milk-alternative, optional cinnamon and vanilla.
  • Whisk your ingredients together in a bowl.
  • Take out your sliced bread, or slice to 1/2" width if necessary. In the past, I have personally used Sourdough, Ciabatta, artisan loaves, and sliced wheat. It really does not matter what bread you use, as long as you have enough and are happy with it.
    Take a skillet or pan and heat to medium. I use about a tablespoon of salted butter to melt at the bottom of a large skillet. For vegan cooking, there are many great vegan alternative butters you can use.
  • Dip each side of the sliced bread, into the dipping-batter. Once the pan is hot, add all slices that will fit at one time. When you see golden crust around the bottom, flip.
  • Once both sides are golden and cooked-through, you'll place them onto a plate. If you are torching to add the brûlée, you'll place them onto a heat-safe surface, like a baking sheet or pan.

Brûlée the French Toast

  • It's about time to have fun with your kitchen torch. Depending on the size of each slice, spread between one teaspoon and one tablespoon of granulated sugar, to cover each piece of French Toast. Torch each piece quickly and evenly, to burn the sugar on top. Plate alone, or with fresh fruit, berries and syrup.