Wondering what the French call the French toast in France? The answer is quite ordinary.
“Le pain perdu” is the French name for French toast, which translates to “Lost Bread”. They are called lost bread because cooks make use of stale bread to make something delicious.
Contrary to most beliefs, French toast did not originate from France. However, its name suggests that it does.
This article helps you understand the origin of the famous French toast and why it bears that name despite not being originally French.
What is French toast?
Traditionally, French toast is a dish made by soaking slices of bread in milk, sugar, and beaten eggs before pan-frying them.
In addition, they are sometimes called gypsy toast, poor knights, Bombay toast, or eggy bread.
Additional ingredients used in making the French toast may include cinnamon or vanilla. These ingredients are added alongside milk and sugar before pan-frying to make the French toast a sweet dish. Once prepared, you can top them with more powdered sugar, syrup, or butter.
To make the French toast a savory dish, simply fry it with a pinch of salt or pepper then serve it with mayonnaise or ketchup as the sauce.
SEE: How To Get Your McDonald’s Favorites For Free
Where is French toast originally from?
You can trace the earliest versions of the French toast back to the Roman Empire.
The French toast was created long before France was created. The first known record and recipe of the French toast dates as far back as 300 A.D in Rome.
Apicius, a Roman author added this recipe to his cookbook which he titled “Cooking and Dining in Imperial Rome”. The dish also for centuries was referred to by the French themselves as “Roman Bread”.
How did French toast get its name?
The French toast according to legend was named after a man called Joseph French who created the dish in 1724 and called it “French Toast” as part of his advertisement strategy.
However, his grammatical ineptitude made him forget to add the apostrophe. The name “French toast” was first used in England in the 17th century, and its recipe and name made it to America through early settlers.
Is French toast healthy?
No, French toast is not generally healthy as it contains a high amount of saturated fat which could spike cholesterol levels and lead to heart conditions. This could be a result of the milk and eggs among other ingredients used in making the french toast.
If you are worried or careful about your health or weight, then you should avoid eating foods containing saturated fat regularly.
SEE: If It Is Safe To Eat Butter And Jelly On Toast Every Day
Are French toasts vegan?
No, French toasts are not vegan as they contain animal products like eggs and milk. However, you can modify your French toast to be vegan-friendly.
To make your French toast vegan-friendly, make your batter with non-dairy milk like soy milk, ground flaxseeds (which helps thicken the batter), cornstarch, baking powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon.
SEE: Pizza Hut’s Vegan Options
How do you make French toast?
To prepare French toast, dip slices of bread in a batter made from a mixture of beaten eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and milk. Then pan-fry the batter-coated bread till it turns brown.
You can also slice the bread a day early, and allow it to dry out so the bread does not absorb too much batter and become soggy. Restaurants in the United States usually serve their French toast with maple syrup, butter, powdered sugar, etc.
The ingredients that can be used as toppings for French toast are quite extensive and will work with almost anything. Toppings that you can use on your French toast include:
- Nuts
- Whipped cream
- Ice cream
- Yogurt
- Dried or fresh fruit
- Honey
- Powdered sugar
- Applesauce
- Peanut butter
- Gravy
- Cheese
- Ketchup
- Bacon
Can French toast be made without milk?
No, french toast can’t be made without milk. This turns it into a simple egg toast breakfast and not French toast.
You can use any kind of milk in making french toast even if it’s dairy-free. However, the higher the fat content in the milk, the creamier the batter will be. Non-dairy milk that you can use as a substitute includes soy milk, cashew milk, rice milk, or hemp milk.
SEE: If You Can Substitute Buttermilk For Heavy Cream
What do the British call French toast?
In Britain, french toast is known as “eggy bread,” “gypsy bread,” or “French-fried bread.” Ketchup is sometimes also served with French toast.
FAQs
Can french toast be reheated?
Yes, french toast can be reheated quickly using a microwave, especially on those mornings when you’re in a rush.
Can you freeze French toast?
Yes, you can freeze your French toast for up to 2 months. To properly freeze your French toast, place a sheet of wax paper between each toast and then wrap them all tightly with aluminum foil or place them inside a freezer bag.
Can toddlers eat French toast?
Yes, toddlers above 6 months of age can eat French toast. It is a quick and easy breakfast that is perfect for weaning (introduction to solid food).
Conclusion
French toast is called pain perdu in France, which translates to “lost bread.” But that’s a pretty boring name.
While there are some name variances depending on which country you are in, the name never changes. It is always French toast. It’s, all the same, no matter where you go to enjoy it, whether it be here in America, Spain, or France.
Also, lost bread is a good description as it is essentially a piece of bread you make lost by dunking it in an egg mixture, then fry it until golden brown. You can also put a thin layer of butter on top and sprinkle some sugar on top.
It sounds odd, but this bread is delicious and great with coffee or hot chocolate after breakfast or dinner. However, what happens when you fry toast for too long? Find out if burnt toast is healthy and good for your stomach.
I hope you found this article helpful. Thanks for reading.
