French toast

French toast is popular as a breakfast entree in North America. It usually is served with maple syrup, though it can also be served with fruit syrup, whipped cream or nuts such as pecans.

French toast is made with bread (generally pre-sliced) and eggs ; some also prefer to add milk or orange juice and spices. To make basic French toast, whisk one egg until well-beaten. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and about two tablespoons of milk, and beat again. Soak bread slices in the mixture and fry on a hot, pre-heated skillet or griddle, flipping to ensure that both sides are grilled. Serve hot with warmed syrup.

Many people prefer to use breads that contain dried fruit as the bread base for French toast. Other spices that may be used include allspice and nutmeg. Vanilla may also be added to the egg mixture.

The precise origins of the recipe are unknown, however, French toast was widely referred to in the US as "German toast" prior to World War II. Recently (March 11, 2003) the name of French toast was changed again in Federal government facilities, this time due to anti-French sentiment due to France's refusal to vote for a war in Iraq. Currently, it is called "freedom toast" in the White House cafeteria and in many restaurants nationwide. The same thing has happened to French fries; now they are called freedom fries.