“Family is one of nature’s masterpieces.” ~George Santayana
Once upon a time our family took a very special trip to Paris. It was about five years ago that we celebrated Chelsea’s graduation in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Upon our arrival, we had to “waste” a little time before our apartment would be ready, so we walked the winding city streets toward the Eiffel Tower. There, we found a lovely little bench with a perfect view of the Tower and the Champs de Mars, the grand grassy area that stretches before it, completely crowded with locals and tourists alike. We sat in awe of our view. We took pictures of our view. We did not, however, take pictures with our view. We were that tired. So fuzzy-brained and jet-lagged we didn’t even think to pose before the city’s greatest monument. It didn’t even occur to us to do so. Extreme exhaustion will do funny things.
So we finally made it to our pied-à-terre, and wasted no time finding our beds. I couldn’t tell you what time it was, all I knew was that the five of us were in Paris-heaven and soon dreaming of red awnings, warm baguettes and Julia Childs. Or so I thought. Funnily enough, the kids and I woke at the same exact time, but Dom was sound asleep with no signs of stirring any time soon. So the four of us, now awake and feeling a bit peckish, crept into the living room where we noticed the TV and a copy of Ratatouille. Score! However, we figured we’d be eating leftover pretzels from the plane as we didn’t shop before heading to our place. Luckily, we did have a Nespresso machine and a variety of espresso flavors so I knew, at the very least, we’d have a little caffeine to tide us over. As the kids were getting settled in for our movie, I made my way to the kitchen with my sights set on nothing other than the strongest (tiniest) cup of brew I could get my hands on. But what came next was better than the best cup of espresso I had ever had.
I walked into the room and beheld pretty little French cupboards, fully stocked. Our compact kitchen was brimming with the likes of artisan cheeses, warm croissants, fizzy drinks and a chocolate mousse pudding, so creamy rich and magnificent (a confection that had no business being sold from a little corner grocery store), ready for our taking.
The big guy, our best guy – as tired as we all were – found the energy to shop while we were having dreamy visions of raspberry berets and croque monsieurs.
My hubby was shopping and providing for his little family in the way that he always does. To Dom, there was no question, to me, it was a loving act that will forever fill me with joy. To have the memory of his thoughtfulness tied to the memory of Ratatouille, chocolate mousse and a sunrise over Paris with my kids, is a tattoo painted on my heart, forever.
Which brings us to French Toast with Caramelized Strawberry Sauce & Whipped Cream. Truth is, I’m not exactly sure it’s a meal any one of us had, but it sure reminds me of something I’d want in Paris. So – I’ll make it this weekend and bring a little Paris to us.
You could just as easily have this sauce over crepes or pancakes or a bowl of ice cream, but French toast is a favorite in our house – so French toast it is.
Feel free to make your favorite French toast recipe…I went for the basics as the real star of this show is our strawberry sauce.
Sweet strawberries cooked down in a little melted butter and honey then topped with a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream served over warm crispy sticks of golden French toast.
This dish says love to me.
Making it a perfect dish for breakfast or brunch for Valentine’s Day.
It’s a meal I’ll love to make for my big guy and our three Sweetas! Oui-Oui-kiss-kiss!
PS) That’s Nick on the left, Chels in the middle, and Lauren aka Luc on the right. In other words, I present to you, my heart.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Buon Appetito!
Print
French Toast with Caramelized Strawberry Sauce & Whipped Cream
- Category: Brunch
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1/2 tsp. sugar
- 1 lb. of fresh strawberries, rinsed and sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp. vanilla
- 1 Tbsp. confectioners’ sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 8 slices of bread
- 4 Tbsp. butter
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pan, melt butter, honey and sugar over medium heat until completely melted.
- Add the strawberries and cook until heated through and caramel-ly. The berries will break down into a sauce, with some still maintaining their shape.
- Cook for about 10 minutes. Keep warm until ready to serve.
- For the whipped cream, in a medium sized bowl, whip together the heavy cream, vanilla and confectioners’ sugar until soft peaks form. Set aside.
- For the French toast, in a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla.
- Cut each slice of bread into 3 pieces to make sticks.
- Dip bread into the mixture and allow it to soak for 5-10 seconds on each side.
- Over medium heat, melt butter in a large sauté pan.
- Place 6 pieces of bread (at a time) in the pan and cook until golden brown, approximately 2 minutes per side.
- Repeat with all the slices.
- Serve immediately with a dab of butter, maple syrup, strawberry sauce, whipped cream and powdered sugar.
Ciao!
I love your story Annie…. especially about Dom. ‘They’ say a way to a man’s heart is food, but I think the same could be said about a woman 😀 . What a sweet, sweet gesture; so much forethought and love went into his action. Thank you for sharing your heart. Your children are beautiful!
Love this French Toast.. always delicious, but adding caramelized strawberries and whip is a sweet way to say I love you, especially if serving breakfast in bed! I love this recipe!! Thank you Annie…. Beautiful presentation!
Thank you so much, Traci….And you are so right – Dom figured out pretty quickly, many many years ago, the way to my heart (back then it was pan pizza)…thanks so much for your sweetness!
What a wonderful post. Your time in Paris with your family sounds like something right out of a novel. I’m so glad you shared that time with us. Your beautiful pictures running through the story just amplify how food can recreate moments even if they weren’t originally in the moment. I love this.
Tammy, thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words.
This looks more like a dessert than a brunch dish, so I definitely love it! The strawberry sauce sounds fabulous, and will be good on anything!
You certainly could have it as a dessert! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh my Annie. This is the sweetest little story ever. Your Dom is truly a special guy and it must have brought tears to your eyes that he made such an unselfish gesture for you and your family. What a truly beautiful dish to celebrate this moment with.
Thank you so very much, Lynn. It is a moment I will never forget.
Jeez, now I feel like a fool, you totally kicked my pathetic strawberry french toast attempt right out the door! Never made caramelised strawberry sauce but it’s a MUST TRY!!
Hahha! That is not possible, my friend! Your strawberry French toast was inspiring!! You crack me up!! Thanks, Nagi!
Sounds like a wonderful vacation. I have such great memories of vacationing with my family. The laughs and the bonding were priceless. This french toasts sounds heavenly and looks *so* beautiful. Pinned!
Hi Connie, I couldn’t agree more! Family vacations are priceless for so many reasons! Thank you so much for your kind words!
Yum yum! I want to have this for breakfast tomorrow! looks so delicious! Pinning!
Thanks, Manali! Enjoy!!
This is the sweetest post, Annie! So beautiful just like this french toast! It looks incredible! Love the strawberry sauce and oodles of whipped cream! It’s the perfect breakfast! Have a happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
Awh! Thank you, Kelly! I appreciate your sweetness! Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
This is such a stunning breakfast! I am totally loving the topping 🙂
Thank you, Medha! 🙂
This totally says love to me too- and I mean the dish and the post. Your heart is beautiful! This was so touching- what a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much, Allie! Your words are so kind; have a beautiful weekend!
Love french toast and this one looks super delicious! Awesome pictures Annie! Pinned!
Thank you, Mira! And thanks for the pin! Have a great weekend!
Beautiful family Annie!! It sound like you all had a great time at Paris. A thoughtful and caring husband is real blessing. Happy Valentine’s Day for you and yours.
Thank you so much, Oriana! You are so sweet! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours! 🙂
Beautiful pictures! Since I’m working this Valentine’s Day, we might celebrate during breakfast and this might be the perfect choice for it! Thanks for the post, Annie!
I say, YES! I love breakfast celebrations! Thank you, Olivia!!
Family is what it is all about! I would do ANYTHING for you and our children with a smile on my face and love in my heart!
Thank you Annie for the LOVE and JOY you bring to all of us!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Love,
Your adoring husband
You are too much! Thank YOU, Dearest!
So decadent Annie! Just want to gobble this down and watch Downton Abbey. But did you really say the powered sugar on top is optional? I don’t think so! The only option is yes, yes, yes! Haha. At least strawberries are buy one get one this week, perfect timing on the French toast =) And yes, the wind chill factor is minus 30 degrees today! Yikes.
Minus 30? Oh my! You deserve powdered sugar and a drizzle of chocolate or Nutella, my friend! Thanks, Laura! Have a lovely weekend! Happy Birthday to your little one!
What a beautiful post, from a beautiful lady with a beautiful family and a big heart. I almost cried at the end! Happy Valentine’s Day, my friend! Your French toast sounds so delicious.
Thank you so much, Andrea! That means a lot to me!! Happy Valentine’s Day to you, my friend!
LOVE French toast so much! This looks insanely good – really love the caramelised strawberry sauce and cream! Decadent and delicious.
Oh yes! Good stuff, my friend! Thanks, Jess!
This dish totally says LOVE! I love that you went to Paris with your family. . such a special trip!! WOW! I honeymooned in Paris but would love to go there again with my family when my kids are older. . and love your note to your husband! so special! 🙂 Happy Friday and hope you guys have an amazing Valentine’s Day!
Thank you so much, Alice! Have a lovely weekend with your family!
Strawberry recipes always make me happy, especially when they involve carmelized strawberry sauce. Perfect for brunch! I am going to be thinking about this recipe all day now!
You can never go wrong with caramelized strawberries! Have a happy weekend, Ashley!!
This looks like the perfect french toast, Annie! I love the strawberry sauce, such a perfect touch! Pinned!
Thanks, Gayle! Perfect for Valentine’s Day! 🙂