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Home ยป Recipes ยป breakfast

Easy French Toast and Good Grief Take Time

Published: Jan 6, 2014 ยท Modified: Jun 27, 2024 by Lisa Keys ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 14 Comments

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Last Updated on June 27, 2024 by Lisa Keys

Overnight French toast.
Overnight French Toast

Easy French Toast

It should have come as no surprise that the first new episode of Downton Abbey would be about GRIEF. By the end of last season, Tom Branson lost a wife, Mary lost a husband and Mrs. Crawley lost a much loved son in a tragic accident. Sigh! I can still see that handsome Mathew pinned under that car. That final episode haunts me. We even saw a bit of angry suffering in the character of Carson as we learned of his love and loss. The episode enforced many of the things I have felt and have discussed on this blog. Things like finding strength to celebrate life, the need for forgiveness and the need for distraction.

Good times around the fire pit.
good times around the fire pit

However, I beg to differ with one final notion as portrayed through the grief-stricken Mary. With the exception of her father, the other characters believe 6 months should be plenty of time for her to resolve her grief. They want her to get back into the swing of things.

What is so magical about 6 months? Good grief takes time however long it takes. I am going on 3 years and I am still in the resolution phase. If, however, after 6 months, you still are not eating, sleeping or enjoying any kind of social interaction then it is time to see your health care provider. Those are signs of a deeper, more complicated grief and depression.

Good French toast, believe it or not, also takes time. Especially if you like it a little crispy on the outside and melt in your mouth soft and creamy on the inside. It takes some simple planning. First of all, your bread should be just a bit stale. 1 day old is good with most artisan breads that don't use preservatives. The bread also needs to get a good 8 hours (overnight) in a sweet milk bath to soak up all the creamy goodness. Topped with butter and real maple syrup it is worth the time.

Overnight French toast.
Overnight French toast.

Simple Overnight French Toast

Lisa Keys
Wake up to an easy peasy breakfast
5 from 3 votes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
Chill time 8 hours hrs
Total Time 8 hours hrs 18 minutes mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 276 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 (1-inch thick) slices French baguette*
  • 2 eggs
  • ยฝ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ยฝ teaspoon vanilla
  • ยผ teaspoon cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • butter

Instructions
 

  • Arrange bread in a single layer in a baking dish.
  • In bowl, whisk remaining ingredients until well mixed; pour evenly over bread.
  • Cover and chill at least 8 hours or as long as overnight.
  • Melt some butter over medium heat on a non-stick griddle.
  • Place soaked bread slices on hot griddle. Cook, turning once, until deep golden brown on both sides.
  • Serve with your favorite toppings.

Notes

*Use the center portion of the bread and save the ends for another use. Trimming the crusts is optional.

Nutrition

Serving: 2servingsCalories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 14gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 171mgSodium: 481mgPotassium: 234mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 337IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 170mgIron: 3mg
Keyword brunch, easy morning meal, French toast, holiday, overnight recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 3 votes

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    Recipe Rating





  1. Louis Matino (@LouMatino)

    January 06, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    5 stars
    My wife is a fan of the show. I have never seen it. Seems to be VERY popular. Didn't realize you should soak french toast overnight for best results. Good tip!

    Reply
  2. lisakeys64

    January 06, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    It is a very well written program with an interesting cast of characters---rare in today's TV standards. Hope you like the French toast---thanks to our dad I think I have 101 uses for day old bread.

    Reply
  3. Carol Walsh

    January 06, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    That was such a great night around the fire-pit...so much fun to watch William and Tyler together. I wish I knew what they were all laughing at though! BTW, 6 months is NOTHING! Not sure how anyone could be "back to normal" so fast after a tragic loss. I know everyone is different, you just take whatever time you need. PS: the french toast looks so good...will you make this for me when I come visit??? ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • lisakeys64

      January 06, 2014 at 7:23 pm

      Yes-I will make you French toast with the bread from the French ladies bakery that we love so much

      Reply
      • Carol Walsh

        January 06, 2014 at 8:47 pm

        ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Tracy

    January 06, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    You have such a way with words-the comparison to the show and your own life-well done (again).

    Reply
    • lisakeys64

      January 06, 2014 at 7:22 pm

      Thanks--I suppose anyone who has suffered such a loss shares a common pain.

      Reply
  5. Ellen Pemberton

    January 06, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    5 stars
    I really look forward to your blog. You never seize to amaze me, Lisa. You are right on about Downton. I was kind of mad at Mary's dad, but you make a very good point. Patience is needed. You will be famous with this blog, although I know that is not your point at all. I made sausage and peppers again tonight. Yummy! Can't wait to try Good French toast. See you this weekend. XXOO Ellen

    Sent from my iPad

    Reply
    • lisakeys64

      January 07, 2014 at 7:47 am

      Not sure Mary's dad knew what to do or how to do it, but his instinct was to protect her (even though his motives were questioned). Happy to hear you are enjoying some of my recipes.

      Reply
  6. Sallie Smith

    January 07, 2014 at 7:03 am

    I don't know how anyone in the lives of Downton Abby could possibly be moving on so quickly for so many tragedies. But you have to remember in those days you were expected to bury your feelings and move on. I think writing like you are Lisa is the best way of handling loss. I have written myself in times. The brain/heart get in a different mode where you find comfort. Keep it up you are great at it and probably have discovered something about yourself that you probably have never known. I think I would like to take an overnight milk bath with vanilla myself
    . ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • lisakeys64

      January 07, 2014 at 7:52 am

      Thanks, Sallie. I think it is not uncommon to take on a few traits of the one who has been lost. My writing comes from a place very deep in my heart with William's name on it. It is a piece I never knew I had until he was gone. I also find Caitlin's young strength inspiring. Come on down and we will go to the Hershey Park Spa where we can enjoy a chocolate milk bath ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Sallie Smith

        January 07, 2014 at 9:40 am

        Sounds so wonderful You are the best!

  7. Betsy Bailey

    January 10, 2014 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    mmmโ€ฆ.going to have to pass this recipe to Chris, he's the breakfast guy. Though, I might try it for dinner when he's traveling ๐Ÿ™‚
    Always a pleasure to read your blogโ€ฆ.you are a very wise lady, indeed!
    What's this about "chocolate milk bath"? I'm in! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  8. lisakeys64Lisa keys

    January 11, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    Nice to have a breakfast guy especially if he serves up a good cup of coffee. I am terrible at making coffee. Hershey Park has a spa that does all kinds of chocolate treatments great for a girls day out. How about painting a still life of Hershey kisses?

    Reply

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