Frenchie French
by Alexandra
Bonjour, mes amis —
I think we all need a little get-away, don’t you?
No problemo!
Pardon my french…
This morning I was craving a little French Toast Action…
Crispy basil-crusted French Toast with Cream Cheese sauce served over a bed of sautéed peppers and tomatoes
Well, it certainly did the trick!
Mmmmmm! Creamy healthy deliciousness.
It always bothers me when people automatically assume that foods that taste rich and decadent are “bad for you.”
My philosophy is moderation, plain and simple. Eat your Twinkie if you please, but make sure you provide your body with wholesome fuel at least 90% of the time!
Refined sugars and white flour are okay once in a while and they aren’t “lethal” as some ‘Real-Food’ proponents may argue, but they certainly don’t provide as many nutrients as whole grains or natural sugars provide. I personally love Oreos, and I eat them in moderation. But in general, if I’m craving a slice of apple pie, rather than popping over to McDonald’s to grab a deep fried, chemically preserved boxed pie which, let’s be honest, doesn’t even taste that good, I go to the store and buy fresh apples, real dairy butter, and wholesome grains. Real baked goods taste just as good as, if not better than, fast food or boxed goods. They’re also significantly more nutritious!
Then again, I am completely supportive if you choose to never eat Twinkies or Oreos. But please don’t take all the fat and sugar out of your food! Carbs are good for you. Fats are essential! An oil-free, unsweetened muffin does not taste good! To be completely honest, there was a period in my life where I measured every calorie I put in my mouth and I was positively terrified of fats and oils! But I wasn’t happy. I was underweight, anemic, freezing and miserable. Realistically, the “health” information that Americans are bombarded with via television, magazine and internet is usually false. “Low fat” diets are unhealthy, as are “low carb.” A fulfilling life is filled with flavor. Foods like bananas and maple syrup add sweetness, chilis and other spices add pizazz, and fats like real butter, coconut oil and avocados are just plain healthy! Additionally, high quality proteins and carbohydrates are the body’s fuel. Don’t restrict your food!
For a little comparison:
These muffins (from said time period of calorie counting) contain the same amount of calories as
Which would you prefer? Bland blueberry muffins, or rich, flavorful Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Icing?
Okay — rant over!
Back to breakfast:
One word: yum
Crispy French Toast
Beat one whole egg in a small plastic container. Then slice one piece of gluten-free or whole grain bread and soak it in the egg for about 3 minutes. Meanwhile, crush 1/4 cup of corn flakes. Fry the French Toast in a hot skillet, sprayed with cooking spray, for about 4 minutes on each side until golden, crisp, and cooked through. Season accordingly. (I sprinkled mine with basil, oregano and celery salt before cooking. You could add cinnamon and maple syrup to the egg for a sweeter approach)
Serve with sautéed bell peppers/tomatoes and cream cheese sauce! (1 tablespoon full-fat cream cheese microwaved for 10 seconds, with 1/2 tablespoon of milk and 1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt. Whisk, season to taste with salt/pepper or maple syrup and serve)
♥Alexandra
Like flying 
Savoury french toast sounds interesting 🙂 I love your attitude towards food! More people should think that way
you couldn’t have said it any better! Really, there is nothing that can replace the real thing. nothing. Like nothing tastes as good as a whole milk cappuccino!!
Scott
I agree. Sometimes you just need a dash of real cream in your coffee — not skim milk or powdered creamer. I like mine black but sometimes I just need, like you said, the real thing! Absolutely nothing can replace it. Bacon > turkey bacon, a brownie > sweet and low flavored corn starch solid, etc.
You rock, by the way!
Your food philosophy is spot on, girlie : ). Lately I’ve been trying to remind myself that eating does not only keep us physically healthy but by following our cravings we stay mentally healthy as well! Living in depravation and denying ourselves treats in the name of eating healthy is absurd. It’s not a balanced lifestyle…balance is healthy!
I also love how you take what your craving and prepare it on your own, using whole ingredients. You’re right that there is nothing wrong with running to McDonald’s for an applie pie if that’s truly what we want, but why not make something homemade, more wholesome, and ten times tastier!? You should write a cook book, my dear! : )
xxx
Yummy muffins! Sometimes I have a hard time with the mentality “Everything is good in moderation”. I have NO self control and I can NOT eat in moderation. Haha, that’s why I usually tend to not eat fatty/sugary foods because once I eat one I CANNOT stop!
Love your savoury take on french toast, and your realisitc approach to life. Icing baked goods all the way! 😛
uuummm yum! Crispy….basil…..crunch……creme cheese…..french toast!?!? Do you realize you just used some of the most yummy words out their all in one sentence?!? Good work.