Just in case a savory breakfast is not what you had in mind for Mother's Day, I figured we should sneak this French toast post in as well. And two recipes from the same book in two days? You should all know what that means. A giveaway!
Remember when I said I was done with new cookbooks, well an unexpected delivery from the Easter Bunny had me skimming the pages of CakeLove in the Morning with family present to remark on how attractive a smile the author, Warren Brown had. I proceeded to give the book a deeper look through later in the week with raised eyebrows. I am guilty of being one of those people that loathes breakfast. I always hated the suggestion from friends to meet for brunch, and even now, after a long bike ride with starving tummies, the idea of breakfast just doesn't excite me. Something about the sugar, the sweet, the amount of all of it. Seriously, when was the last time you saw a 'small' portion pancakes at a diner? However, age and a slowing metabolism have made me try to embrace the most important meal of the day and I have been working to increase the breakfast options in our house and at least drink a smoothie in the morning. When CakeLove in the Morning appeared at my door step with recipes ranging from sweet to savory for breakfast, it was a sign to step things up.
When I finally sat down to make some tastiness from the CakeLove book, I started on about how there was not a section devoted to French Toast... There were 8 pages for French toast in a breakfast cook book over 200 pages long. I had a ridiculously dramatic rehearsed rant about the lack of love for such a favorite breakfast meal. Then I realized, feeling rather like a tool, that those 8 pages were pretty awesome. One covered the basics - bread choice serving sizes and other little tips for French Toast perfection. Another page was devoted to a classic French toast recipe, all you really need, and then the next 6 were all about stuffing it with amazingness or even bringing out the big guns with some French Toast pound cake. Yes, you read that right. French. Toast. Pound. Cake. Why didn't I think of that first?
Technical Level: Who can't make pancakes? (I say that knowing someone in particular who may have asked for my help the last time he tried to make some... >.>) This book is all about the basics though. It's simple and down home. Breakfast is meal for everyone and anyone and the recipes in CakeLove stay true to that.
Graphic Design: This book is bright and chipper - just what you are going to need if you plan on dragging yourself out of a warm cozy bed to slave over an oven, unless you really do have someone willing to bring you breakfast. The color choice was smart with a lot of warm oranges and pinks and yet is somehow doesn't scream 'fabulous' so that anyone would feel comfortable flipping through. In my new favorite thing for cookbooks, the recipes are spacious, being featured on one page with large colorful photographs to accommodate most.
Recipe Quality: Of the three recipes I have tested from this book, none have left me down. I did flip through one morning hoping for a quick waffle fix and noticed there were some egg whites being beaten to stiff peaks and folded into the batter which was more effort than I was willing to give at that point, but having done it before, I can see why it's a must for the recipes. I love the assortment of flavors, not just sweet pancakes and waffles. There are plenty of savory egg posts and even a bangers and mash type breakfast for those who are really into savory (like me).
Personality: CakeLove in the Morning is a good cookbook. The author's personality is neither overwhelming or lost in the pages. The introductions to each post are short and sweet giving just a brief idea to the recipes inspiration before rolling right along. The poppy colors and layout seem to give more away to a sociable personality then the actual text. CakeLove makes me feel like brunch with a good company - the kind of people who accept your penguin speckled pajamas and bed tossed hair and don't judge.
Why I’d Buy: The story and inspiration behind CakeLove in the morning is amazing. Who doesn't dream of quitting their job to peruse their happiness? After reading the introduction to CakeLove, you will see that Warren did just that. Leaving a job as a lawyer (I'm pretty sure that requires some serious red tape) to bake cakes. There is more on the about page of his website about the actual series of events that motivated him to take the plunge into the cake making business. This book should be on your shelf as a reminder of what really matters. If that's not motivation enough, the kicking breakfast recipes I have tested from this book are pretty delicious.
CakeLove's Favorite French Toast
from CakeLove in the Morning
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf challah bread
- 3 to 4 cups milk
- 6 eggs
- 1 tbs ground cinnamon
- 2 teas vanilla extract
- 1 tbs butter, unsalted
Preparation:
Place a large skillet on top of the stove over medium heat (or heat your griddle to medium) and preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet.
Cut the bread into 2 inch thick slices.
In a casserole dish, or wide bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Working in batches to accommodate your skillet or griddle size, soak each slice of bread for about 30 seconds a side. Don't let it soak too long or the bread will become soggy and fall apart while cooking.
Melt the butter in the preheated pan and coat the bottom. Place one or two soaked slices at a time in the pan and cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
Move the toast from the skillet and onto the wire rack. Place in the preheated oven to keep warm while preparing the rest of the French toast.
Serve with a dusting of confectioners' sugar or maple syrup.
CakeLove became aviable for purchase May 1st, just in time for Mother's Day, so as an added bonus, the wonderful people at Abrams books are giving away one copy to my readers.
To enter to win a copy of CakeLove in the Morning
Leave a comment here telling me your dream breakfast in bed.
Earn Extra Points by doing the following and leaving me a comment saying you have:
- Following Pass the Sushi on Facebook
- Joining the Email Subscription
- Following Pass the Sushi on Twitter
- Tweeting about this giveaway including @passthesushi
- Subscribing to my RSS Feed
- Give this post a thumbs up with StumbleUpon!
- Google +ing this post
- Pinning this post
- Being a Mom who doesn't want to make herself breakfast on Mother's Day
- Following CakeLove on Facebook - leave a note saying Pass the Sushi sent you. It will be cute as they probably don't know this is going on 😉
Entries accepted through May 13th at Midnight EST. Winner will be announced on 5/16/12.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Love these pics Kita! You're making mw hungry. My dream breakfast in bed is actually brunch 😉 Let Mom sleep!!!
Belinda @zomppa says
Who doesn't like breakfast with classic french toast? Don't need to be a mom to enjoy this!
Hannah says
Strawberry cream cheese stuffed French toast!
amy marantino says
I Joined the Email Subscription
amy marantino says
I Follow Pass the Sushi on Twitter
amy marantino says
I Tweeted about this giveaway
amy marantino says
I Subscribe to your RSS Feed
amy marantino says
I am a Mom who doesn’t want to make herself breakfast on Mother’s Day
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Mmm mmm. My favorite breakfast! Yours looks lovely.
Toby@Plate Fodder says
Holla! ... sorry challah... Doesn't it make just the best french toast?
Laurie {Simply Scratch} says
I love french toast! Extra butter! YUM!!
Heidi says
My dream breakfast in bed would be croissant french toast with homemade strawberry syrup, fresh fruit salad and freshly squeezed orange juice. Mmmm.
Heidi says
I google+ this post.
Heidi says
I liked you on FB.
Viviane Bauquet Farre says
Kita, what a lovely way to show appreciation to mom. This is a classic breakfast-in-bed dish to care for the ones we love - beautifully executed!
amy marantino says
eggs scrambled with hot peppers, served with buttered rye toast.
Erin says
My dream breakfast in bed? Oh my that's a bit tough. But I think I am being influenced by this post here. I would love some french toast, topped with fresh strawberries, with a side of over easy eggs and a nice toasted bagel to dip in the yolks.
Erin says
I am a fan on Facebook
Erin says
I follow you on Twitter
Erin says
I tweeted about the giveaway
Erin says
I subscribe to your RSS feed
Erin says
I gave this post a thumbs up
Erin says
I liked Cake Love on Facebook and told them you sent me 🙂
Dana Hannsgen says
This looks amaaazing! Definitely gonna give this one a try. My dream breakfast in bed is banana chocolate chip pancakes with tons of maple syrup of course 🙂 and a hot cup of coffee.
Kelsey says
Best breakfast in bed would be poached eggs with hollandaise sauce over asparagus and toast. YUM!
Dana Hannsgen says
I also pinned this to pinterest!
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
My dream breakfast in bed is definitely chocolate chip pancakes (hint, hint, boyfriend). I'm easy to please.
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
I like you on Facebook.
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
And I follow you on Twitter.
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
I subscribe to your RSS feed (via Google Reader).
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
Liked CakeLove on Facebook and told them you sent me.
Bianca @ Sweet Dreaming says
I'm subscribed to your RSS feed!
Bianca @ Sweet Dreaming says
My perfect breakfast would be a big stack of fluffy chocolate chip pancakes! And some fruit on the side
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
Just pinned this post.
Julia {The Roasted Root} says
Yup, French toast is on the top 10 list of best food inventions ever. I don't care how simple it is, it rules!!
Danielle says
I'm not picky if someone is serving me breakfast in bed! My favorite breakfast meal is some flavor of pancakes - I'm partial to banana crunch (granola) but I'll take any (: Give me a hot cup of coffee and some fresh fruit and I'm set. This cookbook looks right up my alley!!
Danielle says
I follow you with Google reader.
Danielle says
I'm a mom who doesn't want to make breakfast on Mother's Day but I am anyways!
Danielle says
Pinned ya!
Athena R says
I love French toast and yours look so good. My dream breakfast would consist of fluffy blueberry buttermilk pancakes with crispy applewood smoked bacon and some good coffee.
Athena R says
I follow you on FB.
Athena R says
I follow you on Twitter.
Athena R says
I subscribe via email.
Kari says
I big fluffy omelet would be the perfect breakfast. But I'm weird about eating anywhere other than the table so maybe no breakfast in bed.
sara says
My dream breakfast in bed would definitely be chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and freshly squeezed orange juice!
sara says
i follow on rss feed.
sara says
i like pass the sushi on facebook
sara says
i pinned this post
sara says
I follow @passthesushi on twitter.
Emily @ Life on Food says
French toast on cinnamon raisin bread, maple syrup, and a strawberry smoothie.
Jess @ Floptimism says
My heart will always be long to a stack of oversized, fluffy pancakes!
Jess @ Floptimism says
I gave this page a thumbs up for StumbleUpon!
Jess @ Floptimism says
I like Pass the Sushi on FB (via Floptimism)
Jess @ Floptimism says
I also subscribe via email
Jess @ Floptimism says
And I follow you on Twitter (@Floptimism)
Jess @ Floptimism says
And I also subscribe to your RSS!
natalie says
fresh fruit crepes
Justin S. says
Dude, lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry syrup. Maybe some thick cut bacon on the side and a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice. Ideally, followed by doing nothing for the rest of the day.
Kim N. says
Waffles and bacon, simple but yummy!
And I already "liked" you on Facebook!
Steph@stephsbitebybite says
My mom would love this! And so would I!
Felice says
My dream breakfast in bed is ricotta hotcakes with honeycomb butter and a cup of Ka'u coffee. However, I am sure there might be a new favorite lurking in this book. It looks amazing.
Felice says
I am following Pass the Sushi on Facebook.
Felice says
I get your emails.
Felice says
I follow you on Twitter.
Felice says
As a mom of four there is no way I am making breakfast on Mother's Day 😉
Felice says
I am following Cakelove on Facebook.
Felice says
I gave this post a thumbs up with StumbleUpon.
karen says
A big slice of coffeecake, fresh fruit, and black coffee.
Robyn says
Eggs benedict, fresh fruit, fresh brewed coffee...
Robyn says
I follow you on Twitter
Robyn says
I signed up for your emails
Robyn says
I subscribed to your RSS feed
Robyn says
I am a mom of 4 kids, 1 huge dog, 3 cats, and as of yesterday 5 baby kittens. And I don't want to make myself a Mother's Day breakfast, but I probably will. After we get home from my daughter's 8am soccer game - I wish that was a joke, but it's not. :0
Robyn says
I would follow you on facebook but I sort of hate it, and I've left it for the last time. Amen.
Robyn says
I also follow you on Instagram (PS I'm trudytherott LOL) and I'm a fellow graphic designer. Do I get extra points for that???
Jen says
Eggs Benedict and a latte 🙂
Jen says
Pinned!
Jen says
Following on twitter
Jen says
Tweeted
Shari says
Dream breakfast? Oh my! Let's see, a fluffy, crunchy waffle, buttery and cheesy scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits and sausage gravy. And maybe hash browns for dessert. 😉
Shari says
I have "liked" you on FB.
Shari says
I follow you on twitter -- @sharinlilbit
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Dream breakfast in bed would be one where I don't have to clean up the crumbs or spills ha 😉 Potatoes, bacon, toast, eggs, french toast, juice... yeah. 🙂 Maybe a muffin and fruit... lets make sure there is a tv for me to watch a sappy movie too 🙂
Shari says
I'm subscribed to your RSS feed.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I like you on fb 🙂
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I follow you on twitter
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Really?! You're giving me a free comment for being a mom that doesn't want to cook myself breakfast?! you ROCK lol 😉
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I get your feed
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
stumbled 😉
Julia C. says
I follow you on twitter and subscribed to the rss feed! My dream breakfast in bed would be blueberry french toast with blueberry syrup drizzled on top. Also, I love hashbrowns and scrambled eggs on the side!
Julia C. says
I also forgot to say that I pinned the post on pinterest. Another thing, I'm 18 and not yet a mother, so, I hope I can get some points by saying that I will be making some breakfast in bed for my mom on Mother's Day!!!
Julia C. says
I just subscribed to your e-mails and tweeted about the giveaway!
Tripp says
I would definitely enjoy a soft-shell crab eggs Benedict with bernaise sauce. And Rosemary new potatoes. And balsamic strawberries. And...
Tripp says
I already follow you on FB.
Tripp says
I'm already subscribed to you via email.
Zee says
These french toast look seriously thick and amazing! Will be perfect for mother's day breakfast in bed
tanja says
I guess I am one of those who don't know how to make it. I can't even recall having eaten french toast.
Debbie Sulahian says
Mine would have to be biscuits and gravy with some scrambled eggs. Can't forget the steamy cup of coffee to go with it.
Kim says
My dream breakfast in bed would be cinnamon rolls and a huge cappucino!
Kim says
i recieve emails from pass the sushi
Kim says
i follow you on twitter!
Elin says
Dream breakfast in bed: buttermilk pancakes, fresh maple syrup, thick whole milk, and black coffee on the side.
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
This French toast looks SOOOOOOOOOO good.
Chloe@EveryCraving says
These look amazing! I've been reading your blog for a while but never commented; I love it by the way. My dream breakfast in bed would be red velvet pancakes with cream cheese icing. I love my sweets in the morning haha.
Chloe@EveryCraving says
I'm subscribed via e-mail already!
Chloe@EveryCraving says
I follow you on twitter
Chloe@EveryCraving says
I follow you via facebook
Chloe@EveryCraving says
I follow CakeLove on facebook
Stephanie says
Your french toast looks wonderful! The book sounds great too! I think my ultimate breakfast in bread would include a Belgium waffle with strawberries, bananas, maybe some nutella. Maybe some bacon or sausage on the side!
Stephanie says
I follow you on Twitter!
Kaitlin says
My dream breakfast in bed is blueberry pancakes with warmed maple syrup. mmmm.
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
My dream breakfast in bed is to have a breakfast in bed 🙂
Since I am a mom it's hard to have a breakfast in bed, specially with two small kids. Well, one day my daughter gave me one, of course only what she was able to do, a soda in a glass and a couple of toast.
Jessica Mumford says
Dream breakfast: ham, pepper, and feta frittata, with a delicious fruit and crumb muffin! And lots of coffee. 🙂
Jessica Mumford says
I subscribe to your RSS feed!
Jessica Mumford says
I am a mom-to-be who doesn't want to make myself breakfast in bed on Mother's Day. 🙂 We are adopting Ethiopian siblings!
Julia C. says
This french toast looks delicious!
Ellen says
Dream breakfast in bed would be in a bed in Paris. There's be baguette, croissant, cafe noir and butter, lots of it.
stylefriendly says
French toast with powdered sugar and whipped cream!
Eniat says
Put this on Pinterest just cos. 😉
I also like a few tablespoons of dry pancake mix to the french toast batter.