One thing I discovered (though I’d already suspected it) while participating in the Green Smoothie Challenge: I eat too much bread. It’s not that I felt a dramatic physical difference; I just felt lighter and just a little bit better. So I’ve committed to reducing my bread/grains/carbs intake. That doesn’t mean, however, that Sunday morning breakfast is getting kicked to the curb, no sirree Bob. I’m nothing if not a deeply flawed human. May I present: French toast.
One year ago today: Beet, Green Bean & Couscous Salad
One year and one day ago: Seitan Italian Sausage and Banana Bread Pancakes
Chocolate-Cinnamon-Orange Cashew French Toast
Serves 4-6
4-6 slices thick, whole-grain bread (I let mine sit out overnight uncovered)
1/4 cup cashews, soaked for a few hours
3/4 cup almond milk
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
zest of 1/2 an orange
sweetener to taste (I used a few dashes of stevia powder)
cacao nibs, optional
sliced strawberries, optional
Rinse and drain the cashews, then put into a blender along with everything but the orange zest. Blend until very smooth – give it a minute or two. Pour the mixture into a deep-sided baking pan and stir in the orange zest.
Heat a large cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat. I spritz mine very lightly with oil.
Dip the slices of bread into the chocolate-cashew mixture and then carefully place in the heated pan. Brown on one side – be patient and don’t cook to quickly. Then gently flip and brown on the other side. Keep toast warm in a 200F oven while you cook the remaining slices.
Serve with cacao nibs, strawberries and warm maple syrup.
That looks and sounds absolutely amazing!!! I’ve never heard of dipping French toast that way. This is SO ON this week. I have everything to make them too. Yummy!
Yay! It seems like cashews are good for so many things that why not French toast, too?!
You read my mind! I was just searching recipes for making a vegan French toast & yours is healthy & pretty awesome too!
MMMMMM!
Glad I could help, Sophie!
I have extended Somer’s wonderful green smoothie challenge and can’t eat bread yet but the moment I can this is it!
Tuck it away for a “rainy” day
!
Lol…I have to wait till June?
Mmmm what an absolutely wonderful Sunday breakfast and that little jar of maple syrup looks very tempting to pour over the top of those strawberries and cacao nibs. I’m quite sure I eat too much bread and would feel better for cutting down. In fact, I think I have noticed that on days when I eat less I do feel lighter, but it’s hard not to use it as a staple, it’s so useful and easy and tastes so good!
I know, I know, Lorna…I normally have bread at every meal and then usually as a snack. I can’t see myself forsaking it completely. Especially since I love to bake. Argh!
I know, I think of you as the Bread Queen!
It’s kinda like my whole identity!
Wow so cool you dipped it in cashews, I’ve never heard of that before! Sounds amazing!
The Amazing Cashew
! It does everything!
I looooove french toast! Although, I was thinking about it, and how awful would it be described to someone who didn’t know what it was? It’s bread… that you dip in liquid so it gets soggy, and then you cook it! haha. I love how you used cashews in there, I bet it tastes amazing
Haha! So true! Best not to analyze…
All I have to say is YESSS! I have been craving french toast lately too…Great combo of flavors
Sunday breakfast is usually waffles or pancakes and then every once in a while I remember French toast and say – duh!! Why didn’t I think of that earlier?
I hear you about too much bread. I’ve recently noticed the same problem with my own habits.
PS – Is there nothing that blended up cashews can’t do? Yumm…
I know – cashews are magical!
I can’t see myself giving up bread completely, but I am going to TRY HARD to eat less.
Wow, this sounds so good! I might have to try it this weekend
Thanks, Kathryn!
That looks so yummy.
Whoa. What a fantastic combination! My favorite muffin at our old co op in Carrboro was the orange chocolate chip and this french toast might just hit that button for me! What a lovely Sunday morning treat!
This looks wonderful and it’s been a long time since I’ve had French toast. Add chocolate, well… yum.
Also, just found your blog. Awesome!
Okay, I’ve always HATED french toast. Never liked the way the cooked egg looked on it or something back from childhood. This one looks awesome! In fact, if you did away with the bread, it would make an delicious smoothie? Stop making things that I want to make! There aren’t enough meals to make them for X)
Sorry, girl
! But a smoothie does sound good!
I know what you mean – sometimes you’d get that yellow, eggy stuff on the edges. Ugh!
Oh, YUM! You had me at cashews.
Hehe!
What a killer breakfast my friend it looks brilliant
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I always ask myself: What would CCU do?!
I’m soooooo making this for my omnivore husband for his birthday breakfast. But I think I’ll pan-fry some banana slices and add a dollop of coconut yoghurt too.
I so love all your bread recipes, Annie. I hope you don’t deprive us too much!
{{{HUGS}}} xoxo
Um, yeah! Bananas and coconut can only make this recipe better. Over the top better!
Can’t give bread up entirely – and gee – I do LOVE making/baking it…Just have to back off a bit, hehe!
I eat too much bread too. i dont know what i would do without it:))
i love this french toast. so many flavors.. i need to make this this sunday!!
I’d be heartbroken if a doctor ever told me that my life depended on not eating bread!
You know what’s strange? I was always that person who didn’t really like chocolate… until recently. And I think it’s recipes like this that are converting me! I also don’t make nearly enough fancy breakfasts like this… I gotta work on that, starting with this one!
Interesting that your tastes have changed a bit. That’s happened to me on some things, too. I kind of wish my desire for chocolate would abate, but no such luck!
This recipe looks just incredible Annie! It’s amazing the lightness that happens when we give up grains for a time – and how we can miss them!! This looks like a plate of heaven!
Yes, behold the magical cashew and almond milk!!
wow! this blog is amazing!
So many yummy vegan recipes and lovely nature pictures.
Wow – thank you
!
Life without bread is difficult!!! Right now I am trying to see how is life without bread, and oh man, it is very very difficult, especially that there are amazing bakeries on EVERY corner in Athens. So far I didn’t experience much ‘lightness’ from giving up grain, but I certainly miss bread. I can’t say I miss other grains or cooked starches, like rice or potatoes, but oh man, bread, could I ever live without it long term?! I think not.
You’ve got a lot of temptations!!
I gotta agree with you – much harder to give up bread than grains or starches.
This looks so wonderful! What a genius idea to dip the bread in cashews – I bet it tastes divine
Hope you are enjoying the weekend Annie!
Every once in a while I’m inspired – cashews seem to be able to do it all! Thanks, Anne!
Who needs chickpea flour when you can use cashews?!? I think I just got a little bit smarter reading this post
Now you’ve got me going…. I made 3 loaves of artisan bread today. I’ve got a new combo that’s driving me insane with bread glee! One of them is bound to end up as french toast!
Oh yeah, you are definitely going to have some stale bread with which to work!
Not if I eat it all tonight…..
Delicious recipe and what a delicious blog! Found you via Shira’s blog In Pursuit of More. (Love her!) The blend of flavors sounds divine. I could reach into the computer screen and snatch a bite.
Hi there! LOVE Shira, too! Thank you so much for visiting and commenting. And for the compliment
!
Love this combo! Will try making some paleo bread soon, and do what I can to recreate your wonderful flavors!