Cardamom-Orange French Toast with Honeyed Strawberries

Here are some recipes to wake up to! Aida shakes up breakfast with Cardamom-Orange French Toast, with Honeyed Strawberries. And the perfect pancakes every time with Aida’s Cakey Buttermilk Pancakes that she likes to serve with Blackberry Syrup.

Yield: 3 to 4 servings
Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
InActive Prep Time: 12 minutes
Ease of Preparation: easy
Total Preparation Time: 24 Minutes 
Total Time: 36 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk 
• 4 large eggs 
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 
• 1 teaspoon lightly packed orange zest 
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 
• 8 (1-inch thick) slices sweet batard or brioche 
• 3 or 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick) 
• Honeyed Strawberries:
  • 1 tablespoon honey 
  • 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds removed 
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 
  • 1 pound strawberries, hulled, and halved lengthwise

Method

1. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, orange zest, vanilla, cardamom, and salt until eggs are broken up and evenly combined. Soak 3 bread slices in egg mixture turning once, until soaked through, about 4 minutes total.
2. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. When butter foams, place 3 pieces soaked bread in the pan and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining bread. Serve topped with Honeyed Strawberries.;
3. Honeyed Strawberries:  :
   1. Mix honey, vanilla, and orange juice together in a medium bowl until honey is dissolved. Add strawberries, stir to coat, and let sit until berries give off their juices, at least 5 minutes. Stir briefly before using.