Brioche French Toast with Asparagus and Orange Beurre Blanc

(33)
Brioche French Toast with Asparagus and Orange Beurre Blanc
Servings:
4

This French toast is always a crowd-pleasing hit at breakfast in the spring when asparagus is bountiful.

Ingredients

For the Orange Beurre Blanc

  • 1 ½ cups dry white wine

  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice (from 2 oranges)

  • 2 small shallots, thinly sliced

  • ½ cup heavy cream

  • 6 ounces (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

  • 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

For the Asparagus

  • 1 pound asparagus, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

For the French Toast

  • 4 large eggs

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

  • ½ teaspoon coarse salt

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

  • 4 one-inch-thick brioche slices

  • 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) unsalted butter

Directions

  1. Make the orange beurre blanc: Bring wine, 1/2 cup orange juice, and the shallots to a boil in a large skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 3 tablespoons, about 10 minutes. Whisk in cream, and cook until reduced by three-quarters, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add butter, 1 piece at a time, whisking after each addition. Strain into a heatproof bowl, and add remaining 2 tablespoons orange juice and the zest. Season with salt and pepper. Thin with water if too thick. Cover to keep warm.

  2. Make the asparagus: Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Toss asparagus and oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast until golden, about 8 minutes.

  3. Make the French toast: Whisk together eggs, cream, zest, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Pour mixture into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, add brioche, and soak, 2 minutes per side. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling. Add brioche, and cook on 1 side until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Flip, and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes more. Top each slice with asparagus, and drizzle with orange beurre blanc. Serve with remaining beurre blanc.

Related Articles