Decadent French Toast

This has got to be one of the single most outrageous things I have ever dreamed up. It is completely, utterly, shamelessly decadent. It needs to come with its own health warning, and it certainly should not be consumed more than once a year. Its a full on aria of melted chocolate, hot eggy cream and crisp croissant. Every person I have made it for has stopped in their tracks and said “Oh I shouldnt!” … and then has proceeded to devour it with sybaritic delight.

Dont try and make this for more than two people – its too immediate and sensual. This is the joyful celebration morning after breakfast of the most sublime night before. You need to make it, and then eat it almost immediately, hot from the pan. Preferably in bed. With your fingers. Sharing one would probably be a good idea, but if you are terribly greedy, you could I suppose double the recipe and make two. Though to be honest, I dont think I could (or would want to) get through one whole one alone.

I have always always adored french toast. I love the slight custardy wobble of the eggs, the melting centre of the crisp bread, the salty sweet contrast. It used to be our holiday breakfast – something special and delightful. Im not sure what dark part of my true wanton self this recipe came from, but I bring it out now and then when I want to scare the neighbours 😉 I hope you enjoy it … and that it brings out the joyful sensualist in you!

Serves 2 happy people

• 1 croissant (day old is best, but fresh is acceptable)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract (though preferably, you would scrape the vanilla seeds from a single bean instead)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp (really a smear) butter
• 1 – 2 squares high quality dark chocolate

Split the croissant in half lengthways. I usually do this with a kitchen scissors to try and keep it as intact as possible. If the croissant is still quite fresh, toast it in a toaster very briefly. You want it to crisp up, not burn. I usually put it on the lowest setting, and pop the toaster before its time – when I smell that unmistakable warm croissant smell.

In a small bowl, whisk together the cream, egg, light brown sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Taste and adjust the vanilla. You want it as heavily perfumed with vanilla as possible.

Place the croissant halves in the bowl, and using a fork, lightly poke holes in the croissant to encourage it to absorb all the cream-egg mixture. Allow to sit for about 5 – 10 minutes.

Place a non stick pan over extremely low heat, and melt a tiny smear of butter into it.

Place the croissant halves, cut sides up, into the pan, and pour over any remaining liquid. Saute very gently. You will start smelling the most incredible scents… be patient, it only gets better!

After about five minutes or so at low heat, flip the croissants over, cut sides down, and saute again for a few minutes or until you are confident that most of the cream-egg mixture has been cooked through.

While the croissant is slowly cooking, chop the chocolate into thin shards.

Flip the croissant again, and scatter the chocolate shards over the two halves. Give it about a minute (the heat will start melting the chocolate), and then very gently, flip one half of a croissant directly over the other so that you have reassembled the croissant. Let cook for a little while longer until you are sure that most of the chocolate has melted, and then gently slide onto a plate to serve.

Enjoy!

Tags: chocolate, cooking, cream, croissant, dark chocolate, decadent, egg, french toast, recipe, recipes, vanilla, vegetarian