<div style='font: 11pt "Fine Hand"; text-align: left; '><b>Q: What is the origin and history of French toast?
- Kathy F., Newtown, PA </b>
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A: There are a number of conflicting stories about the origin of the rich breakfast dish that Americans call "French toast." Most recipes agree that French toast is made by dipping bread into a mixture of milk and egg, then frying it until it is golden brown.
Almost any kind of bread can be used to make French toast, including rich, eggy breads like challah or brioche, airy baguettes or standard white sandwich bread. French toast is usually topped with maple syrup, jelly or powdered sugar. Fruity and even savory toppings are becoming popular as well.
Although the exact origin of French toast is unclear, sources agree that the dish does not stem from classical French cuisine. Toast it may be, but "French" it is not!
An early source, "The Accomplisht Cook" by R. May (1660), has a recipe for "French Toasts" which calls for French bread sliced and toasted, then soaked in wine, sugar and orange juice. While this sounds delicious, it's a pretty far reach from our modern breakfast favorite.
One version of the story is that the dish was invented in 1724 at a roadside tavern near Albany, N.Y. According to the tale, the tavern owner, Joseph French, gave the dish his name.
French-speaking Cajun cooks in Louisiana make "pain perdu" or "lost bread" with day-old bread, and this Cajun tradition also lays claim to the origin of French toast in this country.
It's possible that each of these stories is true in its own way, considering that home cooks around the world have always looked for ways to use leftover food, and bread, eggs and milk are often close at hand. The leap from day-old bread to delicious breakfast comfort food is not.</i>
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Even if it was first made in Rome, it was not passed on TO the barbarians who came from the area of France.</div>
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