Wednesday, February 24, 2010

F is for French Toast

F is for

French Toast




It's certainly no secret among my friends that one of my favorite foods is French toast. If it's on a menu, that's usually what I order when we go out to eat breakfast. So this was one of my Christmas presents this year.




But you can see this isn't exactly what comes to mind when one says, "French Toast!"



No, indeed! So since you've come for a visit I've pulled out some essential ingredients to make us a little treat this morning. Most any bread works for this dish, but I like to use challah bread in thick slices so it's nice and fluffy.



While you're here you may stay in our "French" guest room. I'll just bring up a breakfast tray with a pot of rich fresh ground coffee and a glass of chilled orange juice.



Just for you, I've used French linens. The napkin ring is also French.



F. L. G.

I have a group of French napkin rings that I've found when exploring weekend brocante markets in France. I like to think about who might have owned these little rings of silver and have a bit of fun imagining whose monogram is delicately engraved upon them. This one I think must have once belonged to Françoise Louise Gauthier.



I like to top French toast with a bit of mascarpone cheese and fresh berries.



But I also like to eat my French Toast with lots of confectioners sugar and a little maple syrup. What do you like on your French Toast?



French toast is a rich, sweet dish, so I like to add a side of sausage with mine.



Americans eat French toast for breakfast, but the French like to offer it as a dessert. They refer to it as pain perdu, or "lost bread".



I tucked in the new issue of Phyllis Hoffman's Celebrate Spring for a little reading pleasure.



Enough of my talking, you must be ready to eat. Settle in and enjoy your own plate of French toast. Bon appétit!



There on the bed resting on the pillows are Brigitte, Gabrielle le chat, and Zoé le lapin. You can read about them here.

Please take your time and enjoy your visit. Then click here to check in with Mrs. Matlock and the other Letter F lessons. I'm also linking this to Tablescape Thursday @ Susan's Between Naps on the Porch.


Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

66 comments:

  1. Good Morning Sarah,

    YUMMY..I love French Toast. I like to warm chopped pecans and raisins in butter, add the maple syrup just till it's all bubbly, pour over the French Toast. Then, top it off with whipped cream and sliced bananas and/or strawberries! I like to use that scrumptious Sourdough bread that I've found in Walmart's bakery. I think I'll join you for breakfast this morning--I'm hungry...

    Thanks for sharing your recipe and your French tablescape with us. Everything is superb, Madame!

    Have a great Thursday.

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  2. good morning altho its 4pm here. ^^ love the french toast and the french setting...love all things French! so dainty and pretty....the French toast looks fit for a queen! have a good day Sarah!

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  3. Morning Sarah, thank you for sharing your scumptious tablescape :o) Well done...drool, drool, lol.

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  4. Wow, Sarah, that looks scrummy! I love your special tray of goodies but the beautiful napkin ring is just divine. I would love to go marketing in France...maybe one day!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  5. It's delkicious F!! I love French toast very much. Your French toast looks pretty rich!!

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  6. I love French toast also, and yours looks delicious! And what a beautiful setting. Do you take reservations? Have a great weekend! Kathy

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  7. Sarah,

    How perfectly lovely! I too love French toast. I like pure maple syrup on mine and fresh fruit on the side!

    Carol

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  8. Bonjour cherie,
    Ton pain perdu c'est magnifique.
    Je préfère des bananes avec mon pain perdu pour mon petit déjeuner.
    ~Maggie~

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  9. First you were clever; then the post took a lovely turn and then it became yummy! Great F!!!!

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  10. All those great FLAVORS are making me FEEL FEISTY! Can I come over and eat?! Happy Alphabe-Thursday!

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  11. Sarah, I just had breakfast, but must say, I could indulge again in your tempting array of goodies. Any guest in your home would have the royal treatment!

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  12. I so enjoy reading your posts and this one is no exception! You bring a certain "life" to everything you make and photograph...your creativity is astounding. I'm not a fan of French toast, but I might try it if it looks like your photos!

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  13. Sarah, I would love to be a guest in your "French" guest room if I am guaranteed a breakfast like this! Love the dishes but the napkin ring stole my heart...

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  14. i so love your alpha days, the egg flower soup was terrific and now this... i love the trip around the world with you, F is for FANTASTIC!

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  15. I love French toast and yours looking so yummy! I like mine with confectioner's sugar and syrup. Can I come stay in your French guest room?

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  16. I just adore that big pillow with the Souleiado fabrics Sarah, wish you would make them and sell them on ebay, (since you've nothing else to do). HA!

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  17. Is a student allowed to give another student and A+? You certainly deserve one. I love how you combined the two Thursdays. Your tablescape is beautiful. Lets share French Toast

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  18. Oh that looks wonderful! The toast and the setting..I always wonder about the monograms too..
    Your entry was FINE..I am dreading K , as Ketchup is the only thing that comes to mind for a combined table/alpha post...
    I enjoyed this, S, thank you!

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  19. Lovely, lovely, lovely!
    You've made me hungry, hungry, hungry!

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  20. Ummm...I, too, love French toast and always order it when eating breakfast out. I also fix it some at home. I love fresh strawberry perserves on mine, if possible. Powdered sugar and cinnamon is great and I like ham, bacon or sausage with mine, too.
    You set a beautiful tray, lady!!

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  21. How kind of a gift...ah yes, someone knows you quite well!
    But alas, once all the "F"abulous toppings are applied...we cannot see the brand...ah well LOL...
    The price we pay... :)
    Just a sweet post...!
    And love your food vignette!

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  22. yummmmm I do love french toast, just as you have it on the plate will be just fine with me, the sausage makes it perfect, I will be right over and just remember i can only stay for a week or so....Phyllis

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  23. Oh my goodness, i just had dinner but I get so hungry when I see this french toast. I love it and it looks gorgeous with this bread.

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  24. Everything looks absolutely beautiful, Sarah. I haven't had French toast in ages, but now I think I must have some ... and soon! You've assembled some wonderful items and coordinated everything perfectly. It has such an inviting, "old world" feel.
    Charming!

    Bill

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  25. stop, stop, stop!!! this looks way too delicious. I gave up bread for lent and i am drooling over your post.

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  26. ... and what time are you serving breakfast? I like mine slathered in real butter, nothing more, nothing less.

    Have a beautiful day ~
    Hugs, Marydon

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  27. oh yummy yummy yummy! i love it all, not just the french toast but absolutely everything ... it all looks so scrumptious ... delightful f post!

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  28. ooooh la la - i love that you can stamp your toast with the eiffel tower :D

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  29. I kept reading and reading hoping you were going to announce a giveaway of a weekend in your guest room while being feed this ambrosia.

    But alas.

    No such luck!

    Regardless, you still get an A+ for this F antastic and slightly F rustrating link!

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  30. Sarah that was Fantastic, both for your letter F and the beautiful tablescape....the food looked delicious!

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  31. Oh Sarah, what a lovely breakfast setting. Like you, I love french toast.
    You are a wonderful hostess and I certainly enjoyed my stay but when will they invent scratch and sniff or taste testing online? : )
    Great post!

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  32. Oh, yummy!!! The darling breakfast tray and French linens are as yummy as the French toast!!! I sometimes like a little confectioner's sugar on my French toast or fruit, but other times I'm a maple syrup gal! I love them both ways!

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  33. French toast is quite possibly one of the best foods ever! Your set up is exquisite...I love the colors and especially the theme! The napkin rings are gorgeous...I want some like that!
    Holly
    504 Main

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  34. Oh my gosh - it's all perfect! French Toast is one of my favorites too!

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  35. Oh man that looks yummy! Hubs takes me to breakfast at a restaurant that serves Banana Foster stuffed french Toast. My favorite.

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  36. Oh my! That french toast looks amazing!

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  37. OH Sarah; What a lovely thing to do,,, I so love French Toast,,, and your's looks so divine..... and the place setting,,, beautiful.. and to be served in a gorgeous bedroom,,,gosh I feel so spoiled....
    I might stop by again tomorrow..lol

    Hugs;
    Alaura

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  38. Sarah, your tray looks absolutely yummy! I could just dive right into the computer screen. I have two wonderful recipes for blueberry french toast that I just crave about now! Lovely post.

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  39. I love your table setting. I also always order french toast when I go out to breakfast. I usually have a side order of bacon with mine, although I won't turn down sausage.

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  40. looks fabulous! Check out my post about last years Celebrate Spring.

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  41. Hi Sarah
    I love french toast and haven't made any in a long time, so I just night have to have some this weekend. The way you have arranged everything is so lovely and I really like the pillow with the little lady holding a basket in her hands. She is so sweet. You always make evrything look beautiful!
    Hugs, Rhondi

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  42. That sure looks good and what an attractive way to serve it.

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  43. Oh Sarah, what a delightful bed tray you have created! Of course I love all of the French linens, and that napkin ring is gorgeous! Your pretty china is perfect on this tray. I wish I really was in your guestroom and could eat some delicious French toast. I'll have a sprinkle of confectioners sugar and some syrup on mine. Great post, sweet Sarah. laurie

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  44. Oh my goodness, that food looks so good! I don't know how you could photograph it and not eat it! If you are not a food stylist, you should be!

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  45. What a delightful tablescape! I really enjoy the way you tell the story along with the food, etc!

    Katherine

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  46. This was so delightful Sarah! I alove challah French Toast and the addition of Mascaropone cheese is brillant!

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  47. You are such a good cook and how did you know all my favorites! Joan

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  49. Sarah, I think you should open a bed & breakfast place! Hubby could cook & you could just entertain with all your lovely items. Perfect pairing!

    The little Eiffel tower press is sooo cute but I'm waaay more impressed with the French toast, especially made with challah bread. I've never tried it with that type before but I sure will now. DH may even get FT for breakfast this morning!

    Your treasured napkin ring is so wonderful & the whole Parisian bedroom scene is just delightful. Wish I were there!

    fondly,
    Rett

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  50. Oh my, what a lovely scene. Just a perfect 'frenchy' breakfast. I might add, it looks better than any french toast I've ever ordered in a restaurant. What a great cook.!! Your linens and silver are gorgeous too.

    {{{sweetiepie hugs}}}

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  51. Oh wow! My latest craving is for French Toast...THAT French Toast. It's looks stupendous! My mouth is watering....

    I had come by to say thanks for dropping in and visiting with me. I hope you'll come by again soon and if you do, bring some of your french toast! ;)

    Jamie

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  52. Your french toast, in fact the whole table, looks marvelous! I wish I was sitting down to eat!
    I like maple syrup (the real thing) and blueberries or strawberries with my french toast. YUm!!

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  53. F-inally making it over here from the letter F...

    I love French toast and would surely come visit your table to eat it!!

    Thanks for stopping by. Love this way to meet new friends...

    Vicki

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  54. Oh...my....

    That French toast looks so delicious!!!! I'm sitting here drooling.

    And as for your tablescape...I wish I had so many pretty things!! It's lovely.

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  55. You're killing me! Such beautifully photographed, yummy looking french toast!

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  56. My french toast never looks that delicious! Fabulous photos on this F post :).

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  57. Hello Sarah - what a wonderful breakfast that would be. If wishes wore wings I'd be right over in time for a Saturday treat. I've heard of making French toast with Brioche, but not with challa - although it makes sense.
    I'm looking forward to reading more of your posts,

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  58. I've not had French Toast for ages. It's sounding mighty good right now!

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  59. Beautiful tablescape, Sarah! That looks soooo yummy! What brand of flatware is that...I love it!
    I keep meaning to subscribe to that magazine...I always drool over it in Publix. :-) Any guest would be lucky to spend breakfast in bed with this wonderful feast!

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  60. Oh my goodness......now I need to make some French toast, forgot how good it is!

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  61. I just love French toast but no matter how yummy it is I think I would be too busy googling over how beautiful your presentation is. Okay, maybe I could eat too.

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  62. I just love French toast but no matter how yummy it is I think I would be too busy googling over how beautiful your presentation is. Okay, maybe I could eat too.

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  63. I just love French toast but no matter how yummy it is I think I would be too busy googling over how beautiful your presentation is. Okay, maybe I could eat too.

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  64. This is absolutely adorable, Sarah! What a fabulous post. Love the tray, the toast, and that bedroom! May I please be a guest there?

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.