KosherEye.com
Adapted from Bon Appetit, Y'all (Amazon)
When my sister and I were young, our favorite mornings were when Mama would prepare French toast for breakfast. The smell of butter, kissed with cinnamon, combined with the heady scent of sizzling egg was a most welcome greeting as we bounded down the stairs. This version is made the night before, so you won’t find yourself camped in front of a hot griddle in the early morning, groggy and in need of caffeine. The next morning, remove it from the fridge to take the chill off. Grab a cup of coffee and pop it in the oven. By the time the table is set, the family is assembled, and you’re ready for your second cup, breakfast is ready. Brioche and challah are yeast breads, rich with egg and butter, and make superlative French toast.
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 loaf brioche or challah, sliced 1 1/2 inches thick (about 1 1/2 pounds)
8 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Confectioners’ sugar, for accompaniment
Sorghum, cane, or maple syrup, for accompaniment
Directions:
Combine the melted butter and brown sugar in a baking dish. Arrange the bread slices in the dish. Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a bowl. Pour over the bread, letting it soak in. Top with the pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Let the chilled casserole stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.
Bake until browned and set, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool slightly. Sift over confectioners’ sugar. Serve hot or warm with sorghum, cane, or maple syrup.
Notes:
Yield: Serves 8
Recipes: Bread, French Toast, Dairy, Kosher
Our casserole dish recommendations:
Let's get casserolling
By Yaakov Galen, Editor-in-chief.
Everyone can agree that the well-done crispy edges of a brownie batch are delicious. The same goes for many other pan-baked dishes such as casseroles. There are those that enjoy overall well-done casseroles and those who prefer fluffier medium-baked casseroles. Bake time plays into the outcome of a dish but in order to achieve the various bake textures, you need to use the right pan. In this article, we cover the various kinds of pans you should consider using to nail the type of bake texture you want in your casseroles. We went through the reviews on various online sources and spoke with our inside experts to come up with a list of casserole pans we recommend you use in your kitchen. The recommendations are listed in order of price.
1. Well-done, creamy with crispy edges = Metal Pan
Metal deep dish pans are the safest way to achieve the “well-done” crispy/crunchy elements in your casserole. Aluminum is better than stainless steel for an even cook. Do not store the casserole in your metal pan because it will impart a metal taste into the sauce!
A) Yup, Budget. ($20 range)
ExcelSteel 4 Piece Stainless Roaster with Cover, Rack and Spatula (amazon)
As many of the reviews claim, this pan is deep and great for making casseroles. An all-around great pan with handles, tray, and a lid. Not the best serving dish but the best bang for your buck.
B) I’ll invest in this pan. ($100 range)
All-Clad E9019964 Stainless Steel Lasagna Pan (amazon)
A household name and a Koshereye favorite. Not the exact square dimensions for particular casserole makers, however, it absolutely gets the job done and will last a lifetime.
C) I take my baking extremely seriously. ($250 range)
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Rectangular Roaster (amazon)
This cast iron made by famous French cookware company Le Creuset is an all-around masterpiece for your kitchen. Cook and serve right from this dish. It may be pricy but think of it as a long-term investment. It has got a long lifetime and it is a breeze to clean.
2. Fluffy and creamy = Ceramic Pan
Ceramic, like glass, will give your casserole an even cook but will not easily achieve the “well-done” effect that metal pans will. You can serve your casserole straight in your ceramic pan because they are classy dishes, so why use a glass pan when you can use ceramic? No one needs extra dishes.
A) Yup, budget. ($40 range)
Essence Maison Rectangular Baking Dish (amazon)
Pretty serving dish and durable, this pan is a drop shy of 9 x 13 but gets the job done.
B) I’ll invest in this pan. ($60 range)
Emile Henry Made In France HR Modern Classics Large Rectangular Baker (amazon)
A beautiful dish that cooks your casserole perfectly. This Emile Henry dish is a bit deeper than its 9 x 13 listed dimensions, it is deep! Hard to find casserole pans with these kinds of dimensions. Cook and serve all-in-one.
C) I take my baking extremely seriously. ($130 range)
Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Covered Rectangular Casserole (amazon)
Known for its quality, this Le Creuset stoneware pan is a serious piece for your baking arsenal. Paired with a lid, this pan is designed to execute both covered and uncovered recipes while achieving an all-around even cook. Designed for serious bakers but built to last. This pan can be used as a serving dish for any occasion.
*This is not a sponsored post. All recommended products are Koshereye tested. We hope to only provide you with amazing Kosher products and recipes. Koshereye may make a small commission if you purchase a product through our Amazon links.