Pistachio-Crusted French Toast with Strawberry and Neufchâtel Filling
If you’re looking for an over-the-top brunch dish for a celebration, this is just the ticket.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
In a bowl, stir Neufchâtel cheese until smooth, using a whisk or the back of a spoon to help get rid of lumps. Mix crème fraîche, honey, and lemon zest into Neufchâtel. Fold in 1 1/2 cups strawberries.
Step 2
2
Spread berry mixture onto 4 slices of bread, leaving about 1/4-in. border. Top with remaining plain slices of bread, pressing down lightly.
Step 3
3
Thoroughly whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt in an 8- or 9-in. baking dish. Whirl pistachios in a processor to finely chop, then spread on a plate.
Step 4
4
Quickly dip 1 French toast stack into custard, making sure all sides and edges are covered, then set it in pistachios, turning to coat both flat sides. Set on a plate. Repeat to coat remaining French toast stacks. Sprinkle about 1/2 tsp. sugar on top side of each stack.
Step 5
5
Heat oil and butter in a nonstick 12-in. frying pan over medium heat. Flick a drop of water into pan. If it sizzles, pan is ready for cooking.
Step 6
6
Add French toast stacks to pan, sugar side down. Sprinkle top of each stack with 1/2 tsp. sugar. Cook, turning once, until dark golden brown on each side, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
Step 7
7
Cut French toast stacks in half diagonally. Set on plates and top with remaining 1/2 cup strawberries and the syrup.
Step 8
8
*If you have only fresh bread, put slices on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a 200° oven until dry to touch, about 20 minutes, turning halfway through baking.
Ingredients
6 ounces Neufchâtel cheese, softened
3 tablespoons crème fraîche
3 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 cups strawberries, hulled and quartered, divided
8 slices stale*, day-old challah (cut from a 1-lb. unsliced loaf), about 1 in. thick and 5 in. wide
2 large eggs
2/3 cup whole milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 cups shelled unsalted pistachios
4 teaspoons sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup berry syrup
Directions
Step 1
1
In a bowl, stir Neufchâtel cheese until smooth, using a whisk or the back of a spoon to help get rid of lumps. Mix crème fraîche, honey, and lemon zest into Neufchâtel. Fold in 1 1/2 cups strawberries.
Step 2
2
Spread berry mixture onto 4 slices of bread, leaving about 1/4-in. border. Top with remaining plain slices of bread, pressing down lightly.
Step 3
3
Thoroughly whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt in an 8- or 9-in. baking dish. Whirl pistachios in a processor to finely chop, then spread on a plate.
Step 4
4
Quickly dip 1 French toast stack into custard, making sure all sides and edges are covered, then set it in pistachios, turning to coat both flat sides. Set on a plate. Repeat to coat remaining French toast stacks. Sprinkle about 1/2 tsp. sugar on top side of each stack.
Step 5
5
Heat oil and butter in a nonstick 12-in. frying pan over medium heat. Flick a drop of water into pan. If it sizzles, pan is ready for cooking.
Step 6
6
Add French toast stacks to pan, sugar side down. Sprinkle top of each stack with 1/2 tsp. sugar. Cook, turning once, until dark golden brown on each side, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
Step 7
7
Cut French toast stacks in half diagonally. Set on plates and top with remaining 1/2 cup strawberries and the syrup.
Step 8
8
*If you have only fresh bread, put slices on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a 200° oven until dry to touch, about 20 minutes, turning halfway through baking.
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