Parmesan French Toast with Garlic Balsamic Mushrooms

I decided to make a special brunch for my fiancé this weekend. Yes, the bf is now a fiancé as he popped the question last week 😲. Well... it was a long time coming since we've been together for 8 years now. But the proposal and effort was cute, even if he fuddled so much that I essentially knew what was going on and what he was trying to do! :) Anyway, he's more of a savory dish person but also loves french toast. I made this french toast that has a delicious parmesan crispiness on the outside with sautéed mushrooms. And then it's even more elevated after I added a poached egg for richness! SO GOOD. It will definitely be part of the weekly rotation!

Parmesan French Toast with Garlic Balsamic Mushrooms

Serves 4

Parmesan French Toast
2 eggs
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp balsamic vinegar (Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena)
1/4 cup half & half
4 slices challah or aloha bread (I bought from Trader Joe's)
pinch of salt and pepper

1. Whisk egg, parmesan, balsamic vinegar, half & half and pepper in a shallow dish. Soak both sides of your bread well 
2. Heat up frying pan at low-medium heat with 1/2 tbsp of butter and fry french toast until golden brown on both sides

Garlic Balsamic mushrooms
10oz mushrooms (I used a mix of oyster and white mushrooms)

1/4 diced onion

1/2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp minced garlic

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tsp soy sauce

salt & pepper 

1. Heat butter and olive oil in a frying pan on medium fire. Sweat onions, garlic and then add in mushrooms. Sauté until softened (about 2 mins)
2. Stir in balsamic vinegar, soysauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper
3. Garnish mushrooms over french toast with chopped spring onion and a drizzle of balsamic!

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Basic Gougères

My friends and I are starting a new thing where we have potlucks based on a specific country. So a few weeks ago, we had a Brazilian potluck and I had full intention of making Pão de Queijo. Watch me go to a Brazilian churrascaria and chow down a basket full of cheesy chewy puffs of dough. They are soo delicious, so fluffy and even better hot out of the oven.

But... Why does my post say gougères then?! Because, I didn't have the right flour!! I was so devastated, but I thought screw it, I need to make something in 2 hours or I will show up empty handed. And my friends will beat me (haha kidding). I started making the dough with olive oil (typically for pão de queijo) and normal flour, which reminded me of making cream puffs. And I thought, GOUGÈRES! They are like the French version of pão. Don't ask me who came up with cheesy breads first... I just like to eat them :P.

Anyway, instead of using butter, I used mostly olive oil and they turned out wonderfully. And I saved the day (sort of :\). These are like crack on a plate, covered in cheese. Do make them!!

Parmesan Gougères

adapted from foodandwine.com
makes 35-40
1 cup whole milk
a little less than 1/2 cup olive oil
3 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
1-1/4 cup flour
4 eggs
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (plus extra for sprinkling)
1/2 tbsp pepper

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