California Dreaming: Coast Toast...
Having just returned from a month in my other “homeland” and to a non-stop flood of sideways rain in Italy, I am still longing for certain things “americana”. Can’t help it. It’s a common thing, as many of you expats know. I will return to blogging about Italy, but for now, I am going to do a little California dreaming and hope it makes your mouth water!
One of my favorite things about our annual pilgrimage to SoCal is going out for a big ol’ American breakfast. We make a trip each year down to La Jolla to one of the best breakfast houses in the coast, Brockton Villa. It is, literally, an old beach house with a million dollar view and OUTSTANDING food. Their signature item is “Coast Toast”. French toast (especially after nearly a year without it) is already too good, but this special recipe makes it "a slice of heaven!":
1 loaf of soft French bread (sliced diagonally about 1 1/2” think)
1 qt. whipping cream
10 eggs
3/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
a pinch of salt
2 Tbs. vanilla
2 Tbs. orange flavoring
Combine the liquid ingredients. Pour over the bread slices. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Remove bread and discard liquid. Spread butter on flat grill. Cook bread until golden brown, then bake at 450 degrees for 5-7 minutes or until bread is puffed up like a souffle. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve immediately. (Serves 6)
Brockton Villa
1235 Coast Blvd.
La Jolla, CA
(858) 454-7393
BUON APPETITO!
