Thick slices of Challah bread are soaked in spiced almond milk then toasted to golden perfection. Topped with a fresh blueberry and basil sauce and warm maple syrup this dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.
My mom makes the best egg sandwiches (no joke). She also happens to make the best pancakes- soft, fluffy...I don't know what her secret is. I must be missing something, because I still can't make them like she does! ...Guess it's the special 'moms-can-do-anything' touch.
I also love French Toast, especially with Challah bread. *Swoon*
The best treat is when we have breakfast for dinner. I could easily eat this everyday. Of course for obvious reasons, I can't do that while maintaining a balanced lifestyle...but that is what the weekends are for, right?
I made these last Friday and have been eagerly waiting to share this with you. I was torn between sharing it today or Friday in honor of the weekend, but I couldn't wait any longer. Consider this recipe a head-start to your weekend plans.
I took a healthier route opting not to use cream or even milk in the batter. Instead, I used almond milk adding fresh nutmeg, a pitch of cinnamon and vanilla.
In the meantime, I prepared a fresh blueberry and basil sauce. The basil is growing wild this year, and I love incorporating basil with fruit.
It is a fresh, bright and flavorful dish. The best part is that you don't even have to bake it!
French Toast with Blueberry Basil Sauce
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
Blueberry Basil Sauce:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 2 tablespoons chopped basil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
French Toast:
- 4 slices of Challah Bread
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Blueberry Basil Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine berries, basil, lemon zest, vanilla, sugar and cornstarch.
- Cover and cook down until a thick sauce comes together, stirring occasionally. About 10 minutes.
- Set aside and let cool.
French Toast:
- Slice Challah bread and let slices sit for 30 minutes minimum, or up to overnight to dry out.
- In a small bowl whisk together eggs, almond milk, butter, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt.
- Arrange sliced bread in a small baking dish and pour mixture over the bread. Cover and let the bread absorb all the liquid; about 15 minutes.
- Heat a cast iron skillet or griddle pan on medium-high heat. Melt a pat of butter in the pan and cook the French Toast about 4-5 minutes on each side, until each side is golden and the edges are slightly crispy.
- Serve with Blueberry Basil Sauce, warmed maple syrup and a sprinkle of icing sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Toodles,
Tammy<3
Linking up to these parties!
Kim says
My mom's specialty is French toast, so I'll definitely pass this recipe on!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Wow- This looks so good Catherine and French Toast NOT made with Challah bread is sinful!
marcie says
This French toast looks wonderful, Catherine, and challah bread is the best! 🙂
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Tammy, this looks so delicious. I love basil with blueberries. We have a blueberry basil mojito we enjoy around here at our house. Such a beautiful dish, thanks for the inspiration. XO
Living the Gourmet says
^.^ Thank you, Allie!!
Mmmm a blueberry and basil cocktail sounds sooo good!
Comedy Plus says
You know it's morning here Tammy and I've not had breakfast yet. Oh my what a lovely way to start a weekend morning.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) says
French toast is one of my favorites and this blueberry basil sauce is a great idea with the challah!
Big Daddy Dave says
Tammy, I haven't had French toast in a long long time. It was a favorite but I sort of forgot about it since I try not to keep bread in the house. I've never had it made with Challah bread but that's a great idea. The basil and blueberries is new to me too! At least I have a chance to make this breakfast treat but I can't get my wife to eat pancakes. So let me know when your mom is serving her nice fluffy ones and I'll head your way... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Living the Gourmet says
Dave, I certainly hope you and Laurie do drive on up! Give this a try sometime when you are in the mood for a treat 🙂
Beauty Follower says
Mouth watering!!!
http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr
Chiara says
Tammy,this is to die for !A hug from Italy
Liz says
Oh, Tammy, you've done it again! What a terrific twist on French toast. Practically guilt free so I'd feel just fine eating it for any meal of the day (even all 3!). And it's gorgeous, too. xo
Dottie Sauchelli-Balin says
Hi Tammy,
I knew this had to be your recipe before I even read your post. This looks delicious! I have never mixed basil with fruit, but I can imagine how amazing the flavor must be. Love French Toast with Challah Bread. It makes it thick and gooey. The Blueberry and Basil sauce must be awesome. Your photos are very appetizing and I can't wait till the weekend to try this one. I agree with you as well as to the "mom thing," my mom makes her pancakes fluffy too, but I can't get it either...so you are not alone. Thank you for sharing this scrumptious breakfast with us...
Blessings Dottie 🙂
Jerry E. Beuterbaugh says
Oh, I really like French toast!
Stephanie says
French toast is certainly a favorite of mine, but I must confess that I have never tried it with a sauce like this one. I would love to try this....maybe this weekend 🙂
Thanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Enjoy your week!
Julie says
Wow your french toast and sauce looks amazing and yummy! I would love it if you stopped by and shared this at our Cooking and Crafting with J & J that I co-host on Monday. Thanks!
Julie
Tina Jui | The Worktop says
This sounds so lovely! I love adding basil to jams and mixed with fruits. Rhubarb and basil is also very delicious together if you're keen to give it a try 🙂
Chelc | Inside the Fox Den says
This sounds heavenly and sinful at the same time! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday, hope to see you next week!
Erika says
I've had french toast only once, but this recipe and your photos make me want to go eat it right this second! Thanks for sharing in the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!
Erika @whaterikawears.com
Katherines Corner says
Another culinary masterpiece my talented friend. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. Watch for your feature on Monday xo
Miz Helen says
Your Blueberry Basil Sauce is just beautiful, I can't wait to try it! Hope you are having a fantastic day and we are so excited that you shared your post with Full Plate Thursday.
Thanks so much and Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
This looks incredible! Wish I had a couple of slices right now!
Marye says
This looks delicious! Blueberry and basil sound like they make a fantastic flavor combination!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
That looks so delicious! My husband is usually in charge of breakfast...I am sharing this with him!
Paula - bell'alimento says
Challah bread makes the best french toast.
Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
This looks so yummy!! I love the idea of using almond milk. And I would put that blueberry basil sauce on everything!!
marye says
A perfect weekend breakfast! The blueberries and basil sound wonderful together!
Heather Kinnaird says
breakfast is absolutely my favorite meal of the day, and I would happily eat this every morning, noon, and night
laura@motherwouldknow says
French toast is always divine - and with challah, well your expression (**swoon**, I believe), is perfect. My son introduced me to pairing fresh basil with fruit - it's a match made in heaven. So I'm giving this breakfast (or brunch or dinner) two thumbs up!