Pain Perdu
Lost bread, saved — thick slices of day-old brioche soaked in vanilla-scented custard and pan-fried in butter until lacquered and golden. The original French toast, served simply with crème fraîche and jam.
Ingredients
- day-old brioche4 thick slices
- large eggs2
- whole milk3/4 cup
- heavy cream1/4 cup
- granulated sugar2 tbsp
- vanilla extract1 tsp
- orange zestfrom 1/2 orange
- fine sea saltpinch
- unsalted butter3 tbsp
- crème fraîcheto serve
- apricot jam or maple syrupto serve
Steps
Whisk the custard ingredients.
Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and salt in a wide shallow dish.
Soak brioche slices in custard.
Lay the brioche slices in the custard and soak 1 minute per side. The bread should be saturated but not falling apart.
Melt butter in skillet.
Melt half the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until it just foams.
Cook bread slices gently.
Add two slices and cook gently until deep golden, about 3 minutes per side. Don't rush the heat or the custard won't set inside.
Prepare pan for second batch.
Wipe the pan, add the remaining butter, and cook the second batch.
Serve with crème fraîche and jam.
Serve at once with a spoonful of crème fraîche and a smear of jam or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Nutrition, per serving. 480 calories. Protein 11.5 grams, 10 percent. Carbs 50 grams, 42 percent. Fat 25 grams, 48 percent. Fiber 1.5 grams, sugar 20 grams, saturated fat 14 grams, sodium 320 milligrams. Estimated from ingredients.
