French Toast with Banana and Blueberries
There is something so good about sitting down to a delicious breakfast or brunch. For many of us these days, this involves heading down to a cafe and mingling in with the hoards of others trying to do the same thing. Some of them wear lycra too which honestly, no-one needs to see over breakfast. Forget that I say! Set your own table and get ready for a breakkie fit for a Queen (or King or Prince or Princess).
Some people may wonder why you would do French Toast in a Combi-Steam oven. The answer is, you can cook 8+ pieces all at the same time on your trays rather than one or two pieces in a frying pan. So everyone can eat together - fresh and hot. You also get controlled and consistent heat. The frying pan will often be hotter when you cook some pieces that others which means that not everyone will get the perfect golden outcome.
In my brand of choice there is no grill element. I love that because it means the top of my oven is smooth making it so easy to wipe clean when the mood takes me. It also means that so much more of my Combi-Steam cooking space is “usable” and I have four shelf positions rather than three. I like options! They are just some more reasons to check out the amazing V-ZUG (or Wolf) Combi-Steam options.
If you do have a grill however, you may find you need to use it here. The results of this frying pan style cooking can vary depending on the brand of Combi-Steam you are working with, as the steam control can be very different between models and brands. It depends on their individual settings and technology.
If you do find your French Toast needs a little more crisping at the end, and you do have a grill, then get the grill going to help that happen as a little finishing tool. It will honestly just depends on your brand and the way that the Steam works. You can also increase the cooking time to increase the browning effect.
Now that all that oven talk is out of the way I need to ask. How good is French Toast? Slightly crunchy yet squidgy, browned and golden, sweet but somehow savoury. If you want to get all Canadian about it, you could also do some streaky bacon to go alongside. Just cook on a third tray until crispy to your liking (using the same method as the French Toast). You can do the bacon first and then just return it to the oven while you are serving up the toast to warm through. Easy!
Maple syrup to the ready! Here we go.
Ingredients:
6 XL eggs
400ml full cream milk*
½ tsp ground nutmeg
pinch fine salt
1 orange (zested & juiced)
1 tsp vanilla extract
8 thick slices of stale brioche bread
2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 tbs caster sugar + ¼ tsp extra
3 bananas (sliced)
1 punnet blueberries
maple syrup and icing sugar to serve
Method:
Select Combination Steam (Hot Air+Steaming). For variable steam use 10%. Set the temperature to 230°C or the highest it will go. Allow to pre-heat.
Line two black enamel baking trays with baking paper.
In a large, shallow, flat bottomed dish, gently whisk together the eggs, milk, nutmeg, salt, ½ the orange zest and vanilla.
On a plate combine the cinnamon with 3 tbs of caster sugar.
In a bowl combine the blueberries with 1 tbs orange juice, the ¼ tsp extra caster sugar and remaining orange zest (or to taste). Set aside.
Dip one slice of the brioche in to the egg mixture. Press down gently for around 5 seconds. Turn over and coat the other side. Don’t over soak as you don’t want it too wet and soggy or it will fall apart.
Drip off the excess and then lay in the combined cinnamon and sugar to just coat one side.
Lay the bread sugared side up on the prepared tray.
Continue with the remaining bread, leaving generous space between each slice on the trays.
Working quickly slide the trays into the pre-heated Combi-Steam. One tray at the very top and one at the very bottom.
Cook for 12-15 minutes or until golden and a little crisp around the crusts.
Serve toast with the sliced banana and the slightly “syrupy” berries. Drizzle with some maple syrup and dust with icing sugar if desired.
Notes:
*use almond or soy milk if preferred.
Another great option is to toast off some walnuts or almonds and then roughly chop to sprinkle over for a little more savoury crunch. You can toast your nuts (so to speak) on a tray using your dry Convection or Hot Air setting at 180°C for a few minutes or in a dry fry pan over medium heat.
Wear your crown high and proud when you serve up this one. I can literally taste it! Your loyal ones with love it.
Happy Combi-Steaming!
Yours in the kitchen,
The CSQ x