Best 7 New Orleans Pain Perdu Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**New Orleans Pain Perdu: A Taste of French Tradition with a Creole Twist**

Indulge in the delectable New Orleans Pain Perdu, a classic French toast with a distinct Creole flair. This culinary gem features thick slices of French bread soaked in a flavorful custard mixture, then pan-fried to golden perfection. The result is a symphony of textures and flavors – a crispy exterior yielding to a soft, custardy interior, all enveloped in a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. Served with a drizzle of warm syrup or fresh berries, this New Orleans specialty is a true breakfast or brunch delight.

**Classic New Orleans Pain Perdu:**
This recipe stays true to the traditional New Orleans style, using a simple custard base made with eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. The bread slices are soaked in this mixture until saturated, then fried in butter until golden brown. The result is a classic pain perdu with a slightly crispy exterior and a soft, custardy interior.

**New Orleans Pain Perdu with a Twist:**
For those who enjoy a bit of culinary adventure, this recipe adds a touch of Creole spices to the classic pain perdu. The custard mixture is infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of cayenne pepper, giving the dish a warm and slightly spicy flavor. The bread slices are then soaked in this flavorful custard and fried in butter until golden brown. The result is a pain perdu with a unique Creole twist that tantalizes the taste buds.

**New Orleans Pain Perdu with Seasonal Fruit:**
This recipe incorporates the vibrant flavors of seasonal fruits into the classic pain perdu. Fresh berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries, are added to the custard mixture, infusing it with natural sweetness and a pop of color. The bread slices are soaked in this fruity custard and fried in butter until golden brown. Served with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, this pain perdu is a delightful way to celebrate the bounty of fresh fruit.

**Tips for the Perfect New Orleans Pain Perdu:**
- Use a good quality French bread that is slightly stale. This will help the bread absorb the custard mixture evenly and prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Soak the bread slices in the custard mixture for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight. This will ensure that the bread is fully saturated and cooks evenly.
- Fry the bread slices in butter over medium heat until golden brown on both sides. Be patient and do not overcrowd the pan, as this will prevent the bread from cooking evenly.
- Serve the pain perdu immediately with your favorite toppings, such as powdered sugar, syrup, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

PAIN PERDU: NEW ORLEANS STYLE FRENCH TOAST



Pain Perdu: New Orleans Style French Toast image

Pain perdu-or lost bread-is a Cajun-style French toast; this version is made with a little vanilla, sugar, and thick slices of day-old bread.

Provided by Diana Rattray

Categories     Breakfast     Snack     Brunch     Bread

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for greasing
8 slices day-old bread
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 dash salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Serving:
8 tablespoons (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
Honey, to taste
Syrup, to taste

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400 F. Generously butter a large baking sheet.
  • If desired, remove the crusts from bread slices and discard them or reserve them for another use. Set the bread aside.
  • In a small bowl, beat the eggs with salt, sugar, milk, and vanilla. Pour into a flat-bottomed dish large enough to accommodate a few slices of the bread.
  • Place the bread slices into the dish to soak up some of the egg mixture, a few at a time. Turn with a spatula and let them soak on the other side, but not too long, or they will be too saturated and difficult to turn. Gently remove the soaked bread slices to the buttered baking sheet and continue with the remaining bread slices. Spoon any remaining egg mixture over the slices.
  • Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake the pain perdu for 15 to 20 minutes, turning after the first 10 minutes to brown on both sides.
  • Serve immediately with melted butter and your favorite honey or syrup.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 744 kcal, Carbohydrate 57 g, Cholesterol 225 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 10 g, SaturatedFat 32 g, Sodium 412 mg, Sugar 24 g, Fat 54 g, ServingSize 4 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

PAIN PERDU



Pain Perdu image

Provided by Marc Murphy

Categories     main-dish

Time 12h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Four 3-inch-thick slices country bread
4 cups heavy cream
1 cup vanilla sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 cup brandy
2 teaspoons kosher salt
9 eggs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
All-purpose flour, for sprinkling
Powdered sugar, for serving
Maple syrup, for serving

Steps:

  • Place the bread in a large bowl and set aside.
  • Whisk together the cream, vanilla sugar, brandy, salt and eggs (or use a blender). Pour over the bread. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then turn the bread over to ensure proper absorption. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Heat large oven-proof saute pan over medium-high heat and add the butter. Sprinkle some flour and some vanilla sugar on top of the bread slices. When the foam from the butter subsides, put the soaked bread in the pan and cook on one side, about 5 minutes. Flip the bread and place the pan in the oven until cooked through and custardy in the middle, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Serve with powdered sugar and maple syrup.

PAIN PERDU



Pain Perdu image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     main-dish

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/2 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 tablespoons sugar, divided
3 tablespoons orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier), divided
6 extra-large eggs
1 1/2 cups milk or half-and-half
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 large brioche loaf or challah
Unsalted butter
Vegetable oil
1/2 cup (1 1/2 ounces) sliced blanched almonds, toasted
Confectioners' sugar, to serve

Steps:

  • Combine the sliced strawberries, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, and 1 tablespoon of the orange liqueur in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, honey, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons orange liqueur, the vanilla, orange zest, and salt. Slice the bread in 3/4-inch slices. Pour the egg mixture into a large shallow plate and soak a few slices of bread for 4 minutes, turning once.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil in a very large saute pan over medium heat. Take each slice of bread from the egg mixture, dip one side in the toasted almonds, and place in the saute pan, almond side down. (While you're cooking each batch, add more bread to the egg mixture to soak.) Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Place the cooked bread on a baking sheet and keep it warm in the oven. Wipe out the pan with a dry paper towel, add more butter and oil, and continue to fry the remaining soaked bread until they're all cooked. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and serve hot with the strawberries.

PAIN PERDU



Pain Perdu image

from All Recipes Pain Perdu is a special New Orleans-style French Toast. The most tender version is made with wide loaves of French or Italian bread. Its great flavor comes from the orange brandy in the batter."

Provided by Lavender Lynn

Categories     Breakfast

Time 20m

Yield 12 slices

Number Of Ingredients 6

5 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
1 teaspoon orange zest
12 slices white bread

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, milk, brandy and orange zest. Beat until thick and foamy.
  • Pour mixture into a shallow pan.
  • Soak bread slices in the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they are thoroughly soaked through.
  • Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Lightly spray griddle with cooking spray.
  • Cook the bread slices 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 135.2, Fat 3.2, SaturatedFat 1.1, Cholesterol 78.9, Sodium 162.4, Carbohydrate 21.6, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 9.5, Protein 4.9

PAIN PERDU (LOST BREAD FROM LOUISIANA)



Pain Perdu (Lost Bread from Louisiana) image

Set the bread to soaking before you go to bed and bake the dish of French toast first thing in the morning. From "Screen Doors and Sweet Tea."

Provided by mailbelle

Categories     Breakfast

Time 50m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup cane syrup or 1/2 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
10 slices French bread (1-inch thick)
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, syrup, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
  • Pour the syrup evenly over the bottom of the prepared dish. Arrange the bread slices in the dish on top of the syrup mixture. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt. Pour the mixture over the bread slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°. Uncover the dish and bake for 30 minutes, or until the French toast is lightly browned and slightly puffed. Serve hot.

NEW ORLEANS PAIN PERDU



New Orleans Pain Perdu image

Make and share this New Orleans Pain Perdu recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Breakfast

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons brandy or 2 tablespoons Bourbon
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 slices French bread, cut about 1-inch thick on the diagonal
unsalted butter
vegetable oil
powdered sugar
sliced strawberry (other berries or orange or tangerine slices)
real maple syrup (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 300°; butter the baking sheet.
  • In a shallow dish, whisk the eggs, milk, cream, whiskey, sugar, vanilla, and salt together.
  • Dunk the bread slices into the egg mixture and soak them for at least 10 minutes, turning if needed to coat evenly, until saturated but short of falling apart.
  • Warm 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil together on a griddle or in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Briefly cook the French toast in batches until golden brown and lightly crisp, turning once.
  • Put the first slices on the baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven.
  • Continue cooking the remaining slices, adding more butter and oil as needed.
  • When all the French toast is ready, dust with powdered sugar.
  • Serve immediately with berries and maple syrup, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 601.8, Fat 21.3, SaturatedFat 10.1, Cholesterol 256.8, Sodium 1170, Carbohydrate 76.3, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 9.7, Protein 19.6

PAIN PERDU



Pain Perdu image

This homey dessert is a cross between bread pudding and French toast. To create an elegant presentation, cut the Pain Perdu neat rounds with a biscuit cutter or a drinking glass.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Breakfast & Brunch Recipes     Bread Recipes

Yield Makes 8 three-inch rounds

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound day-old brioche loaf
Unsalted butter, for pan
2 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped
1/4 cup hazelnut liqueur, such as Frangelico
4 large whole eggs
4 large egg yolks

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Trim side and bottom crusts from brioche, leaving top crust intact. Slice brioche 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan; lay bread pieces in pan so that they overlap slightly, with top crusts visible.
  • Make custard: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk milk, cream, sugar, vanilla scrapings, and liqueur. Cook until hot but not simmering.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and yolks. Whisking constantly, pour 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into eggs; slowly add remaining milk mixture.
  • Pour custard over bread, making sure to soak completely. Bake until firm to the touch, about 1 hour; if needed, press bread with a spatula to keep it moist.
  • Remove from oven. Let cool slightly before cutting into rounds with a 3-inch biscuit cutter. Serve warm.

Tips:

  • Use day-old or stale French bread for the best results.
  • If you don't have day-old bread, you can toast fresh bread slices lightly before dipping them in the egg mixture.
  • Use a shallow dish for dipping the bread slices in the egg mixture so that the bread doesn't absorb too much egg.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the bread slices. Cook them in batches if necessary.
  • Cook the bread slices over medium heat so that they have time to cook through without burning.
  • Serve the pain perdu immediately, topped with your favorite toppings.

Conclusion:

New Orleans pain perdu is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With its crispy exterior and fluffy interior, pain perdu is sure to be a hit with everyone at your table. Whether you're looking for a classic New Orleans breakfast or a unique dessert, pain perdu is the perfect choice. So next time you have some leftover French bread, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics