TORRIJAS

Torrijas are the Spanish variation of French toast. The slices of bread are soaked in infused milk, then dipped in egg and fried in olive oil. Then, they’re coated in cinnamon sugar and soaked in honey cinnamon syrup and chilled. They taste delicious with a cup of coffee at breakfast.

INGREDIENTS

⦁ 4 large eggs

⦁ 4 cups whole milk

⦁ 1 cup sugar

⦁ 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

⦁ 3 tablespoons honey

⦁ good quality extra virgin olive oil for frying

⦁ 1 strip lemon peel

⦁ 1 strip orange peel

⦁ 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds optional

⦁ 1 star anise optional

⦁ 1 loaf slightly stale French bread or bread you would use for French toast

DIRECTIONS

⦁ Pour the milk into a saucepan, then add sugar, strips of citrus peel, and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and star anise and simmer for 15 minutes to infuse it.

⦁ Slice a loaf of bread. It’s best to use day-old bread that’s slightly stale.

⦁ Soak the bread in the infused milk mixture until it’s fully saturated, but not soggy.

⦁ Remove the bread slices and put them on a plate.

⦁ Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl until they’re well combined.

⦁ Dip each slice of bread into the egg so both sides are coated.

⦁ Heat ½ inch of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it’s hot, then fry each slice on both sides until golden.

⦁ Drain the slices on paper towels to remove the excess grease.

⦁ Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a shallow bowl.

⦁ Toss the bread in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

⦁ Dump the remaining cinnamon sugar into a saucepan, adding a bit more sugar to cover the bottom of the pot if needed.

⦁ Add 2 cups of warm water to the sugar and bring it to a boil.

⦁ Add the honey and allow the syrup to simmer until it has a syrup-like consistency, about 30 minutes. Let it cool for 15 minutes.

⦁ Spoon the syrup over the torrijas, then let them cool completely.

⦁ Refrigerate the torrijas for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.

⦁ Serve within 2-3 days and enjoy this delicious Spanish treat!

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