We go a little over board with brunch on weekends usually! Mainly because it becomes a welcome break from the monotony of gulp-and-go weekday breakfast routine. And then everybody is at home, there is a lot to share from the past week, a lot to plan for the coming week, some jokes, some anecdotes – all this needs heartwarming food to snuggle around.
These Chai Spiced French Toasts are a frequently requested treat on weekend menu. If you are familiar with the exciting flavour of Masala Chai Latte then you can imagine the spice soaked deliciousness of these toasts.
Masala Chai Latte actually becomes the batter for these Spiced French Toasts, combined with eggs and sugar. The caramelized, almost crispy outside has a gooey centre that tastes of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, black peppercorns and cardamom.
The story of fragrance and flavour doesn’t end here though! I also make a tea leaves based golden syrup to pour over the French Toasts. Then all you need to do is top the pile with some fresh fruits (strawberries in this case) and a scoop of vanilla or ginger ice cream.
Weekend deserves this much indulgence!
Ingredients:
2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoon heaping chai (tea) leaves or 2 tea bags
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder or half a stick cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger powder or a tiny piece of fresh ginger
4-5 black peppercorns
2 cloves
Seeds from 2-3 green cardamoms
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
8 bread slices
Butter, For the griddle
For Chai Spiced Golden Syrup:
6 green cardamom pods
5 black peppercorns
2 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 inch piece fresh ginger
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
This Is What You Do:
For Chai Spiced French Toast
Heat the milk in a medium saucepan until it simmers.
Add cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black peppercorns, cloves and tea leaves.
Let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes or till the milk is fragrant and changes colour.
Strain the milk and leave it to cool down to room temperature.
In a large bowl whisk the eggs and sugar.
GRADUALLY add the chai spiced latte liquid to beaten eggs and sugar.
Heat the griddle or non stick frying pan on medium heat. Generously butter the hot surface.
Dip a bread slice into the liquid, coating each side. Allow it to sponge up some liquid but be careful not to leave the bread in the bowl for too long or it will fall apart.
Gently place each slice on the hot griddle. Cook the first side for 4-5 minutes or till it’s nicely caramelized and crispy on the outside. Flip and then cook the second side similarly.
Repeat with all the slices.
For Chai Spiced Syrup
Lightly crush the cardamom and black pepper.
Add all the spices, tea leaves, water and sugar to a small saucepan.
Bring to a boil then simmer gently for five till the syrup turns golden brown and begins to thicken to a pancake syrup like consistency.
Serve the French toast warm topped with chai spiced golden syrup. Garnish with fresh fruit and vanilla ice cream.
Serves 4