Pain Perdu With Seasonal Berries

Breakfast/Brunch

Recipe courtesy of Chef Ben Thibodeaux, Palace Cafe

Serves 4

Ingredients: 

Sauce 

  • 1 1/4-cups pecan pieces
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 pound dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey

Lost Bread 

  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 tablespoons sugar 
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • pinch salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter 
  • 8 slices day-old French bread, cut 3/4-inch-thick

Topping 

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 8 ounces andouille sausage, sliced
  • 1 pint seasonal berries: (Ponchatoula strawberries, blueberries, or black berries) sliced
  • powdered sugar for garnish

 

Method: 

Sauce
To make sauce, spread pecan pieces evenly on a small sheet pan and lightly toast in a 300°F oven.
Toasting the pecans releases oils from the nuts, which keeps them crispier in the sauce.
Bring butter, brown sugar, and honey to a boil in a small saucepot.
Remove from heat and mix thoroughly.
Stir in pecan pieces and set aside.

Lost Bread
Whisk eggs thoroughly in a medium bowl.
Add milk, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, blend well.
Soak bread slices in custard mixture for about 1 minute, coating both sides evenly.
Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add a small pat of butter to the skillet between batches to prevent sticking.
Fry slices on each side until golden brown and cooked through to the center.
Remove bread from pan and keep warm in a 200°F oven.

To make topping, melt butter over high heat.
Add sausage and lightly brown on both sides.
Add sliced berries and cook 1 to 2 minutes.
Stir in lost bread sauce and heat until warm.

To serve, place 2 slices of lost bread on each plate and ladle with sauce.
Dust entire dish with powdered sugar immediately before serving.

Louisiana Recipes Weekly



 

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