French Toast or Pain Perdu

French Toast

 

The morning after Christmas. Wrapping paper, remains of a day, like strewn confetti after a grand festival, with the morning light reminding us that a new day has dawned.

The day after Christmas has a feeling all its own, doesn't it? 

 

French Toast

 

Because after such a feast that Christmas brings why stop?

I held the day-old baguette and flashed, "Pain perdu."

In France, a day old baguette is as hard as a brick. Hence, French toast was created, which in France is called "Pain Perdu".

I sliced the baguette thinly. Then in a bowl, I added six large farm eggs, two tablespoons heaping full of creme fraiche (like sour cream) a tablespoon of sugar, a dash or two of nutmeg, a splash of water which was actually leftover champagne from the night before and whipped.

Then I tossed the thinly sliced dried baguette and mixed.

Letting it sit for fifteen minutes or longer.

 

French Toast

 

In a baking dish that was heavily buttered, I layered the French toast mixture, adding any leftover liquid on top.

Baked until golden for about fifteen minutes at 350°.

Served with a spoon of creme fraiche and maple syrup (a gift from the last person who stayed in our apartment. Thank you!)

Tomorrow yes tomorrow the day of no more feasting, pigging out on holiday treats begin… until New Year's Eve that is.

 



Comments

8 responses to “French Toast or Pain Perdu”

  1. Good morning, the pain perdu looks yummy. We had baked french toast, which is basically the same thing, yesterday (christmas morning.) From now on it is going to be called pain perdu. It sounds much more elegant. I just bought the amazing post card of the day-I hope no one else beat me to it. If they did, keep the euros on my account (you know I’ll desperately need something else soon.)

  2. Hi Jacky, You are so sneaky! You got it. Thanks!

  3. The pain perdu looks beautiful. I have always wondered why baguettes go hard so fast. I’m guessing it’s because they’re not made with preservatives?

  4. Mdm Tortoise

    Hi Corey,
    Your photos of pain perdu are so vivid that I can taste it from here. How lovely that someone left you one of your favourites: maple syrup. It is hard to imagine the dish without its addition.
    I happen to have all the ingredients so, dinner is going to be breakfast thanks to you. Oh what fun it is to turn upside down this day of rest.
    xo
    Feast on….
    Jilly xo

  5. Sounds delicious! Happy day after Christmas!

  6. Exactly.

  7. I have always made a lot of French Toast for the girls, which they have always called “French Toast” even when speaking French. The other day they were talking about it, in French, and one of them said “Comment ça s’appelle encore en français?” We have totally different methods though. I just do a quick “aller-retour” in the egg mixture, and cook it in a skillet.
    Happy post-holidays!

  8. I always love to save all the great French bread pieces when we are at our house in the Dordogne, then make a batch of “Pain Perdu” Just didn’t know it was called that!
    Do you rent your apartment in Paris?

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