Savory Green Curry French Toast Recipe

By
Sohla El-Waylly
Sohla El-Waylly

Sohla El-Waylly is a culinary creator, video host, and CIA graduate whose work can be found on Serious Eats, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Food52, YouTube, and more.

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Updated May. 28, 2019
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Vicky Wasik

Why This Recipe Works

  • Fresh cilantro, scallion, and lime bump up the flavor of store-bought curry paste.
  • Extra-thick slices of bread give you a custardy center to contrast the crisp exterior.
  • Soaking the bread overnight ensures that the curry gets to the core.
  • A final drizzle of molasses or maple offers a sweet contrast to the spicy curry.

This French toast recipe gets a savory twist from spicy and funky green curry paste. We amp up store-bought curry paste with fresh herbs and additional lime juice and fish sauce. Blending the curry base and soaking the bread well in advance ensures that the curry soaks all the way through, for a flavorful, custardy center. With the prep work squared away the night before, this dish is perfect for any lazy Sunday.

Recipe Details

Savory Green Curry French Toast Recipe

Active 60 mins
Total 2 hrs
Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 can coconut milk (13 1/2 fluid ounces; 400ml)

  • 1/2 cup green curry paste (3 1/2 ounces; 100g)

  • 1/4 bunch cilantro (1 ounce; 28g), roughly chopped

  • 6 scallions, both white and green parts, roughly chopped (1 ounce; 28g)

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (1 ounce; 28g), from about 1 lime

  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce (1/2 ounce; 14g)

  • 4 large eggs

  • Butter, for cooking

  • 8 (1-inch-thick) slices day-old bread (about 14 ounces; 400g); brioche, challah, and Pullman loaves work best (see notes)

To Serve:

  • 4 to 8 crispy fried eggs

  • Additional chopped cilantro and scallion, for garnish

  • Molasses or maple syrup

Directions

  1. In the jar of a blender, blend together coconut milk, green curry paste, cilantro, scallion, lime juice, and fish sauce until smooth. Add eggs and blend until combined.

  2. Pour coconut mixture into a large roasting pan or 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Add sliced bread and allow to soak at least 1 hour at room temperature, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator, flipping once during the soak to coat both sides.

  3. Preheat a 12-inch cast iron or nonstick pan over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons (30g) butter and heat until foamy. Add 2 to 3 pieces soaked bread and cook until browned on both sides and heated through, about 10 minutes. Repeat with remaining bread and additional butter, holding cooked French toast warm in a 250°F (120°C) oven until ready to serve. Serve French toast with crispy fried eggs, chopped cilantro and scallion, and a drizzle of molasses or maple.

Special equipment

Blender, 9- by 13-inch baking dish or large roasting pan, 12-inch cast iron pan or nonstick pan

Notes

You can quickly stale bread by stashing the slices in the refrigerator, uncovered, the day before you plan to soak.

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
691 Calories
38g Fat
65g Carbs
25g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 691
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 38g 49%
Saturated Fat 24g 121%
Cholesterol 378mg 126%
Sodium 1877mg 82%
Total Carbohydrate 65g 24%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 25g
Vitamin C 22mg 112%
Calcium 262mg 20%
Iron 10mg 56%
Potassium 753mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)