Grilled Brioche French Toast with Lemon-Blackberry Sauce & Candied Bacon Roses

By: GRAHAM RUSSELL
@COOKINGWITHCARRRL

 

It’s finally time to repay mom for all the years of cooking amazing meals, cleaning up after you, kissing booboos, and most importantly loving you unconditionally! Moms have one of the hardest jobs around and this breakfast will be sure to show her how much you appreciate all she does for you. Best of all, even if you mess this breakfast up, she will still love it because you made it!

 

Ingredients:

 

French Toast

1 Loaf of Brioche Bread or Texas Toast (Thick Slices)

5 Eggs

1 Egg Yolk

¼ Cup of milk

Splash of Vanilla

½ - 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon

Vanilla Ice Cream – Optional (Mom is worth it!)

 

Lemon Blackberry Sauce

2 Cups Fresh Blackberries

¼ Cup Sugar

½ Tablespoon Butter

2 ½ Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice

1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest

 

Bacon Roses

1 Package Thick Cut Bacon

Maple Syrup

¼ Cup Brown Sugar

Plastic roses/flower stems

 

Directions

Preheat smoker or oven to 325-350 degrees. We will be using Fire & Flavor Hardwood Lump Charcoal for this cook. 

Lay bacon slices on a flat surface and sprinkle brown sugar on each slice. Starting at one end roll each slice up tight - it will somewhat resemble a rose. Place 1-2 toothpicks through the center of each bacon rose (it will help them keep their shape). Drizzle maple syrup on the tops and brush the sides. Sprinkle with more brown sugar and place in your smoker/oven for 40 minutes. If using an oven be sure to use a baking rack.

 

Check the bacon after 40 minutes. Remove the bacon when it is a dark golden brown color all over. Once cooled you can add the stems and remove toothpicks. Remove petals from fake flowers and place bacon on the stem. Only the best for the moms in my life - I used real stems to make them appear that they were picked from a bacon field!  

 

While the bacon is cooling prepare your grill. One reason I use the Almond Lump Charcoal is how long and hot it burns. I used the same coals from my smoker to prepare my grill for the berries & French Toast.

 

Place a small grill safe pan on the grill for the berries and a larger skillet for the French Toast. You can grill the toast directly on the grill grates but the flavor crust from the skillet is unbeatable! Toss the butter and berries into the small skillet (over direct heat) and mix until butter is melted. Once melted add in the sugar and lemon juice – let cook stirring occasionally.

 

In a bowl whisk together the 5 eggs, the extra yolk, milk, and vanilla. To ensure we get a nice cinnamon crust on every bite, sprinkle cinnamon onto the egg mixture before you dip each piece of bread. Coat both sides with the mixture and place on the hot griddle/skillet.

 

We are working with a hot grill and each piece only needs about 2 minutes a side. While the toast is cooking stir berries and add lemon zest once the sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat and set aside. The French Toast is finished when both sides are golden brown.

 

Mom’s love a good surprise! Follow these plating instructions to give your mom a love-filled breakfast she will never forget. Cut three slices diagonally and stagger them on a plate. Top with the Lemon-Blackberry Sauce, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, powdered sugar, and fresh berries. Place the plate on a serving tray with a handful of bacon roses and some juice or coffee. Present with a hug, kiss, and a big HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!

 FIRE & FLAVOR ALMOND LUMP CHARCOAL