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Savory French Toast

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6

Ingredients

5 ounces bacon (about 6 slices)
2 onions, cut into 1/4-inch dice
12 ounces button mushrooms, stemmed and quartered
6 large eggs
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, half-and-half, or milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 1/2 ounces), plus more for serving
1 teaspoon coarse salt
6 1-inch-thick slices bread, such as sourdough, each cut into 3 long strips, preferably day-old
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon; cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the bacon with tongs; drain on paper towels; set aside. Add the onions to the skillet with the bacon drippings; cook, stirring constantly, until the onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms; cook until tender and most of the liquid released has evaporated, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a bowl to cool. When cool, set aside half the mixture; finely chop the other half.

    Step 2

    Whisk together the eggs, cream, Parmesan, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the finely chopped vegetable mixture; set aside.

    Step 3

    Place the bread strips in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold them in a single layer. Pour the egg mixture over the bread; soak 10 minutes. Turn the strips over, and soak 10 minutes more, or until the bread is soaked through.

    Step 4

    Preheat the oven to 250°F. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet; set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry half the bread strips until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the wire rack; place in the oven while cooking the remaining bread.

    Step 5

    Wipe out the skillet; repeat with the remaining butter, oil, and bread. Heat the remaining onion mixture in a small skillet until warm. Serve the French toast warm, topped with the remaining onion mixture, crumbled bacon, and Parmesan, if desired.

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Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
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