gil's brioche french toast

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 (1 pound) loaf rectangular brioche bread
• 3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled, divided
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 cups heavy cream, divided
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar (optional)
• 6 eggs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Ready Time: 35 mins


• place a metal mixing bowl and beaters from an electric mixer into the freezer to chill. trim the end crusts from the brioche bread, and slice the loaf in half; cut each half in half again (4 pieces), and cut each quarter in half to total 8 pieces of brioche.
• place 2 cups of strawberries and the water into a saucepan over medium-high heat; cover the pan, and bring to a simmer. gently steam the berries until they release their juice, about 5 minutes.
• beat 1 cup of heavy cream, vanilla extract, and confectioners' sugar together with electric mixer in chilled metal bowl with the chilled beaters until the cream forms soft peaks; set aside.
• whisk the eggs and remaining 1 cup cream together in a large bowl, and place the bread pieces into the mixture, spooning the cream over the bread to coat. allow to stand for 5 minutes.
• heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant, and lay the coated brioche pieces into the skillet. cook until the french toast is golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
• to serve, place 2 pieces of french toast a plate, overlapping slightly. ladle cooked strawberries and their juice over the french toast, and top with a generous dollop of whipped cream. top the cream with several fresh strawberries.