The college life is tough, especially for those of us who are full-time college students and part-time employees. Sometimes we skip breakfast, thinking that we’re saving time getting ready in the morning. I have done this once or twice this semester, but I always regret it. Why? Because my body needs food in the morning to do its job right. Even if it’s just a granola bar and a glass of orange juice, it’s enough for me to go to my 9 AM class. But after class, I always find myself wanting more – more food, that is. While I am fortunate enough to be able to live with my parents, many college students must scrounge for their own food. (Before you get on my case about how I have it so easy, I do pay rent!)
I’m no chef in the kitchen, but I do like to make things from time to time. The ingredients you need to make this easy recipe are basic things you most likely already have: eggs, bread and butter/cooking spray. The rest is optional: cinnamon, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, maple syrup and/or assorted berries.
That’s right, this is French toast I’m talking about!
For my fellow Pixar-loving collegiates, this article goes out to you. Like Chef Gusteau told Remy the Rat in Ratatouille, anyone can cook – even us college students who don’t have a whole lot of money. Here are the steps to making French toast my way. Anyone, even a poor college student, can do this!
1. Mise en Place!
This is a French term that I learned in my high school culinary class that means “everything in its place”. You will need 2-4 eggs, two slices of bread (any kind will do, but the whiter and thicker, the better), butter, and your choice of the optional ingredients listed above. I just used cinnamon, powdered sugar, and maple syrup for my French toast. You will also need a mixing bowl, a whisk (a fork or spoon will do), a pan, a spatula, and utensils to eat with (a plate, fork, and knife). You may also want to make a cup of hot chocolate or pour yourself a glass of orange juice to wash it down. I personally poured myself a glass of peach-flavored kefir and made a cup of hot tea.
2. Crack those Eggs!
Crack your eggs against a hard surface, preferably the edge of your counter or the edge of the mixing bowl. Pour the inside of those eggs in the mixing bowl and mix them up with your whisk or fork or spoon. You can add milk if you want, but in my experience it is isn’t necessary. Put in your desired amount of cinnamon and/or vanilla extract (one teaspoon of vanilla extract is enough).
3. Soak and Toast the Bread!
Place your pan on the stovetop and turn the stove on medium-high. While the pan heats up, start soaking a slice of bread in your egg mixture. Make sure that the bread is completely soaked. You don’t want to put the bread on the pan until the pan is hot enough. To check that the pan is ready, rinse off one of your hands and sprinkle a little bit of water on the pan. If the pan makes a sizzling sound, it’s ready. Make sure you spray your pan with cooking spray or coat it with a slice of butter before you start toasting your bread. Leave the bread on one side for a while. Keep toasting it until it’s a golden brown color. Don’t forget the other side! Place the finished French toast on a plate and do the same for the other slice.
4. Garnish!
Cut your French toast into the classic triangle shapes. Garnish your French toast with powdered sugar (you may need a sifter of some sort) and/or strawberries or blueberries (or your favorite fruit). I used a tea bag strainer to sift the powdered sugar. Drizzle on some maple syrup if you want more sweetness. If you use Aunt Jemima’s maple syrup, you can drizzle it on without any preparation. However, if you use the fancier maple syrup, like the kind that comes in a glass bottle, it’s best to pour some in a little pot and heat it up. If you want to act like a professional chef for a second, wipe off any unwanted messiness from your plate with a linen napkin (or paper towel). This will make it Food Network material.
5. Scramble those Eggs!
If you want to go above-and-beyond – or if you’re just super hungry – scramble up some eggs. All you need are 2 eggs, salt and/or pepper, and cheese (optional). Crack your eggs and mix them up in a mixing bowl. Put in some salt and pepper if you want and grate some cheese into the same mixing bowl. Pour the egg mixture into a hot pan and tilt the pan as needed to make sure that the egg mixture covers the entire pan. Continuously stir (scramble) the egg mixture with a spatula and watch the circle of egg mixture break apart to form scrambled eggs. If you want an extra-cheesy dish, just add more cheese. Drizzle some ketchup over your eggs if you’re going for an All-American breakfast or brunch.
6. Admire your dish. (You can eat it now too!)
Take pictures like I did (see above). Post them on Instagram or Facebook. Relish in your new creation. Take it all in.
See, anyone can cook!