Toast Of New York Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200 degrees, and place a wire rack on a sheet pan inside.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs, additional yolks, milk, vanilla (if using) and salt until foamy and smooth. Set aside. Place a small lump of butter (enough to coat the bottom of the skillet when melted) in a large, heavy nonstick skillet over low heat. It will melt very slowly.
• When butter is just melted and bubbling, raise heat and bring to a sizzle. Place 2 slices of bread in the bowl with the egg mixture. Turn them a few times in the mixture until evenly saturated, about 5 seconds on each side. Do not soak.
• Lift a slice out of the egg mixture, gently shake off any excess, and place in the pan. Repeat until the skillet is full, and let the slices cook at a sizzle for about 2 minutes, until just turning golden brown on the bottom.
• Add another small lump of butter to the pan and flip the slices over, swirling the pan so that the fresh butter coats the bottom. (This will allow the second side to brown.)
• Continue cooking over low heat until the second side is golden brown. Dust with cinnamon sugar, flip again, and dust the other side. Test for doneness by pressing the center: The dent should slowly spring back. If it remains, the interior is not yet cooked. Continue cooking at low heat, flipping occasionally, until done. Serve immediately, or transfer to the oven to keep warm while cooking remaining bread. Serve as soon as possible. Top with maple syrup, berries, jam, sliced bananas, orange supremes - whatever you'd like.

Steps:

• Make the molds: Place the Elastack molding material in a saucepan over medium heat until melted. Use metal rulers to outline the mold that you would like to make. For my centerpiece, I used drama masks, a phantom mask, a souvenir plate and taxi magnets. Place the rulers on a parchment paper lined sheet pan, and place the item to be molded in the center of that space. Pour the melted Elastack over the item to be molded until it is completely covered. Let this set for about 30 minutes until the Elastack hardens.
• When the molds are complete, gently remove the molded item. Now you are ready to fill the cavity with either white or dark chocolate. I used white chocolate for the taxi, plate, phantom mask and 1 of the drama masks. I used dark chocolate for the other drama mask. Use a ladle or spoon to fill the mold with chocolate. Once the chocolate starts to harden, about 5 minutes, scrape the edge clean with a paring knife. When the chocolate sets, it shrinks or retracts from the sides of the mold. A clean edge will keep it from sticking and cracking as it shrinks. You can place the mold in the refrigerator for several minutes to help the chocolate to harden. When the chocolate sets, carefully remove the chocolate from the mold by peeling away the molding material. Repeat this process with all of the molds you have made.
• Make the statue: Use a ladle to fill a mold with white chocolate. When it is full, empty it into the bowl of chocolate. The inside of the mold should be evenly coated with chocolate. Wipe the edge of the mold clean on the side of the bowl and place it upside down on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. Once the chocolate starts to harden, about 5 minutes, scrape the edge clean with a paring knife. When the chocolate sets, it shrinks or retracts from the sides of the mold. A clean edge will keep it from sticking and cracking as it shrinks. You can place the mold in the refrigerator for several minutes to help the chocolate to harden. Unmold.
• If you want to paint the statue, mix together a few tablespoons of the cocoa butter with a small amount of powdered food color. It will be easier if you use a yogurt machine to store and warm your paints. Use a paintbrush to apply color where you are inspired to do so. I also used the copper luster dust to give the statue a realistic look.
• If you want to paint the plate, use a dry paintbrush to apply the copper luster dust to the face of the plate.
• Make the dark chocolate apple outline: Use a food safe rubber tube that is 6-feet long and 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Position it on a parchment paper lined flat surface. I used heavy cans of fruits and vegetables to shape the tube into the form of an apple. Place the tempered chocolate in a large pastry bag. Use the bag to fill the tube with chocolate. Prop 1 end up so you can see when the tube is full. When the entire tube is full, seal the ends and allow the chocolate to harden. When the chocolate has set completely, carefully use an X-acto knife to cut through the center of the tube. Carefully peel the tubing from the chocolate.
• Make the apple stem: Use the same technique as described above to make the apple stem. My finished stem is about 12 inches long.
• I used vegetable oil to glaze my chocolate apple and stem to give it a nice shine. Use any oil and apply it with a pastry brush.
• Make a base: Use flexible aluminum strips or very large cake ring to form a base. The base I made was 15-inches in diameter. Place it on a parchment paper lined surface. Pour tempered dark chocolate inside the ring to form a 1/2-inch-thick layer. When the chocolate has set, remove the ring and peel off the parchment paper.
• Make a support pole: Roll a piece of 32-inch long piece of parchment paper into a cone that has a bottom diameter of 21/2 inches and tapers to a point. Tape it closed. This piece will support the mold so make sure it is long enough and thick enough to support the centerpiece you are making. Set the cone on end and fill with dark chocolate. When it is full, invert the cone over the bowl of chocolate allowing the excess chocolate to flow back into the bowl. Spin the cone so the chocolate inside is evenly coated. Let set. When the chocolate has set, repeat this step a few more times. You want the cone to be quite sturdy as the rest of the centerpiece will rest on this cone. Allow the chocolate cone to set until hard. Remove the parchment paper. Use a hot knife to trim the base of the cone so it is flat. Then use the knife to scar the bottom of the cone and the base. You want to make it somewhat textured so it will form a better seal to the base. Use tempered chocolate to glue the pole onto the base. Position it well so you can rest the molded chocolate against it.
• Make the theatre tickets: Use an offset spatula to spread a 1/4-inch-thick layer of tempered white chocolate over a sheet of acetate. Let the chocolate set slightly. If you are using the silkscreen, it will be easier if you cut the ticket after you have transferred the design to it. Melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler. Hold the silkscreen over the chocolate. Use a plastic scraper with a straight edge. Apply about a teaspoon of chocolate to the scraper and gently pull the chocolate across the design. Carefully lift off the silkscreen. It will dry almost immediately. Use the tip of a hot paring knife to cut the ticket with the centered design. When the chocolate is set, peel off the acetate.
• Make the signs and logo decorations: Use an offset spatula to spread a 1/4-inch-thick layer of tempered white chocolate over a sheet of acetate. Let the chocolate set slightly. Use a paring knife to cut the shape of the decoration you would like to make. When the chocolate is set, peel off the acetate. If you want to paint the chocolate, mix together a few tablespoons of the cocoa butter with a small amount of powdered food color. It will be easier if you use yogurt machine to store and warm your paints. Use a paintbrush to apply color where you are inspired to do so. I made signs for NYFD and NYPD and logos for The Mets and The New York Yankees.
• If you use an airbrush, simply place a few drops of color in the receptacle of the airbrush and decorate, as you are inspired.
• Assemble: Use tempered chocolate and chocolate cold spray to "glue" the molded pieces and decorations onto the centerpiece.

Steps:

• Heat a wide skillet over high heat and add butter, swirling pan. When butter begins to sizzle, add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Add thyme and garlic, and stir to coat. Season well with salt and pepper and continue to sauté for a minute more, then add sherry, if using. Add crème fraîche and let mixture simmer 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast bread slices until golden. Lightly butter them and place on individual warm plates.
• Spoon mushrooms and juices over toasted bread. Top with chopped parsley.

Steps:

• In a bowl or shallow dish that will fit the bread, beat the egg, milk and a pinch of salt with a fork until very smooth and bubbly on top.
• Add both bread slices (it's OK to stack them if they don't quite fit) and soak them, turning a few times, until the mixture is fully absorbed.
• Set a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and swirl it around the pan until it melts. The soaked bread will be really soft, so carefully pick up each slice by sliding your whole hand under it, then setting it in the pan. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip the slices, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the other sides are brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Enjoy hot, with more butter spread over the slices and with your favorite toppings.

Steps:

• Toast the bread to your liking. Meanwhile, use a wide spoon to remove the avocado halves from the peel, keeping them in large pieces.
• Drizzle the hot toast lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Let cool slightly, then place one avocado half on each slice of toast. Use the back of a fork to roughly mash the avocado into the bread, keeping it as chunky as possible.
• Sprinkle with a little more salt, and pepper if desired. Squeeze the citrus over the top and add any garnishes. Cut each piece of toast in half if they're large and serve immediately.