Quick and Easy Savory French Toast

Never in my wildest imagination have I thought that people ate French toast sweet until I moved to Canada. I grew up eating it savory and we simply called it French toast. Yes that’s true! My mom used to make a sweeter version too but it was not called French toast, it was just a sweet bread toasted in a mixture of milk and sugar.

When I tried to find out about the history of french toast, I was fascinated by the fact that French toast is not really French.  In fact it goes back to Medieval times, long before France was even founded. The first recorded reference of dipping stale bread in a milk/egg batter and then cooking it is in a cookbook from 4th century Rome where it was called Pan Dulcis. Later similar recipes were whipped all around the world.

But the French do eat French Toast (and have done for centuries). They call it Pain Perdu (“lost bread”). This name refers to bread that is stale or “lost” because it’s no longer good for eating plain. And we call it French Toast, probably, because the dish was popularized in America by French immigrants (just like French Fries!).  I couldn’t find any information about how the savory version came up but it could possibly be invented by Indians because they are not really a fan of sweet breakfasts. Besides, bread and eggs being savory makes so much sense.

Over the years French toast has become the iconic breakfast all over the world, be it sweet or savory.  It is something I’ve been eating since I can remember.  Although now, I make both savory and sweet kinds, the smell of frying the toast always transports me to my childhood when my mom would make my siblings and me savory French toast for breakfast accompanied with a hot mug of bournvita. It’s such a wonderful memory!

I wanted to post this for a very long time but since this is usually made for breakfast I never managed to take a picture with camera.  However, yesterday morning I thought to take pictures with my phone and finally the post is happening. It’s a simple recipe that even children cane make. The key to this Indian French toast is to ensure the bread is firm so that it absorbs the egg mixture well. Stale bread is always good. The pan should be hot enough to cook the toast evenly.

It’s mother’s day  on Sunday, go surprise your mom with this savory French toast. It’s simple, yet tastes so good! I just know your Mom will love it! She might as well make some comment about how she is watching her sugar intake and this is the best breakfast she has eaten in years.

More interesting information on French toast, both the history and some variations can be found at the following sites:

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/11/french-toast-was-not-invented-in-france/

http://www.foodreference.com/html/a-french-toast-history.html

http://www.cheftalk.com/t/8142/the-origin-of-the-french-toast

Linked to Allergy Free Wednesdays & Gluten Free Fridays.