Spanish Torrijas with a Twist

Ingredients

• 8 slices of day-old bread (preferably brioche or baguette) 8 slices of day-old bread (preferably brioche or baguette)
• 2 cups (480ml) whole milk 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1/4 cup (60ml) honey 1/4 cup (60ml) honey
• Additional cinnamon sugar, for dusting Additional cinnamon sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 68g, 32g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, cinnamon stick, and orange zest. Heat over medium heat until the mixture starts to simmer. Remove from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a shallow dish, whisk the eggs until well beaten. Set aside.
3. 3.
   Dip each slice of bread into the milk mixture, allowing it to soak for a few seconds on each side. Be careful not to oversoak, as it may cause the bread to become too soggy.
4. 4.
   Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the soaked bread slices until golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
5. 5.
   In a small saucepan, warm the honey over low heat until it becomes runny.
6. 6.
   Drizzle the warm torrijas with honey and sprinkle with additional cinnamon sugar. Serve warm and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bread — Using day-old bread is essential for torrijas, as it absorbs the milk mixture better without becoming too soggy. If you don't have brioche or baguette, any sturdy bread will work.
• Orange zest — Make sure to use organic oranges or wash the orange thoroughly before zesting to avoid any unwanted chemicals.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra indulgent twist, serve the torrijas with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
• If you prefer a stronger citrus flavor, you can add a few drops of orange extract to the milk mixture.
• To make the torrijas even more decadent, you can sprinkle them with toasted almonds or drizzle them with melted chocolate before serving.
• If you want to make the torrijas ahead of time, you can reheat them in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for a few minutes before serving.
• Leftover torrijas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in a toaster or oven before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the torrijas warm as a delightful dessert or a sweet breakfast treat. They are best enjoyed fresh, straight from the frying pan, when the exterior is still crispy and the interior is creamy.

Presentation advice

Arrange the torrijas on a serving platter and drizzle them with honey. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar and a few fresh orange zest curls for an elegant touch.