coconut french toast.

we picked up some cinnamon bread at our school's farmers market yesterday with intentions to make french toast for breakfast, and woke up realizing we had no milk. instead we subbed coconut milk & it was dang good. seems like a yummy breakfast always ensures that the day will be a good one.

coconut french toast

serves 4

ingredients:
10 pieces cinnamon bread (or more, or less, depending on the size of your bread)
1 can coconut milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
butter, for cooking


1. heat your griddle to 350 degrees.
2. toast the coconut flakes in a small pan over medium heat, shaking constantly so they don't burn. once golden brown, take off heat and set aside.
3. whisk together the coconut milk, eggs, vanilla & salt. pour into a shallow dish.
4. butter your griddle. soak each piece of bread in the coconut milk mixture (about 20 seconds each side) before placing on the griddle.
5. cook each side until golden to dark brown brown, about 3 minutes.
6. serve with butter, powdered sugar & the toasted coconut.

banana pancakes & coconut syrup.

i went my entire life without eating banana pancakes, until i came out to hawaii. freshman year we went to hukilau cafe after a camping trip, and i had my first banana pancake. singular, because their pancakes are the size of mattresses. who knew making them is as simple as tossing some sliced bananas in the batter when they're on the griddle? the best part is when they caramelize on the bottom.

i use the buttermilk pancake batter and put several banana slices on each pancake before flipping them over on the griddle. it helps to butter in between flips so the bananas don't stick.

coconut syrup

ingredients:

1 (14 oz.) can coconut milk

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut shavings

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1. combine the coconut milk, brown sugar & vanilla on the stove and bring to a boil. lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

2. stir in the coconut shavings & maple syrup. remove from heat & serve immediately. (this stores in the fridge & reheats).