French toast (pain perdu)
AI-generated illustration
French toast, or 'pain perdu' (lost bread), is a beloved breakfast dish made by soaking slices of bread in a mixture of eggs, milk, and often vanilla or cinnamon, then pan-frying them until golden. Originating in Europe, it's a classic way to transform stale bread into a rich, custardy treat, commonly served with maple syrup, fresh fruit, or powdered sugar.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is typically high in carbohydrates from the bread and added sugars, and moderate in fat from the egg-milk batter and cooking butter, with some protein from the eggs. A standard serving of two slices can range from 300 to 500 calories, depending on the bread type, toppings, and portion size.
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, 'pain perdu' highlights a historical frugality, turning leftover bread into a gourmet meal, while nutritionally, the egg-soaking method can enhance the bioavailability of certain nutrients like vitamin D from the yolks when paired with sunlight exposure.