Simmer Down Now

Posted on

by Hannah (BitterSweet)
Jump to Recipe

Sweet dreams beget savory cravings. Balancing out long days of baking that spill over into visions of sweets well into my waking hours, the first thing on my mind in the morning is anything but another sugary meal. Spice, zest, acidity; anything to wake up my taste buds without another saccharine treat. Syrup-drenched pancakes still beckon, as does that comforting crunch of frosted cold cereal flakes, but an innate yearning for bolder seasoning pushes me further into the pantry for alternative options.

Bleary-eyed and barely conscious, finding any shortcut for satisfying that gnawing hunger is a merciful windfall. I’m certainly not above lazily throwing a slice of bread under the broiler and calling it a day, but when it takes only a few minutes longer to whip up a truly satisfying, savory meal, why not make something a bit more special? Perusing the usual pantry options after one particularly brutal wake up call, finding a packet of taco simmer sauce was like uncovering the holy grail right in your own backyard.

Recently released by Simply Organic, their ingenious Southwest Taco Simmer Sauce promises warm notes of chili peppers, tangy tomato, rich cumin, and savory oregano, and it doesn’t disappoint. Claiming that it’s best with beef and positioned merely as a taco night aid struck me as rather shortsighted, though. Maybe it was the sleep-deprived delirium that inspired my unconventional #OrganicMoments, but all I could think about was a fresh, spicy take on French Toast.

Thickly sliced country bread takes a dip in a rich bath of coconut milk, infused with this delicately nuanced blend, coming together almost instantly. A crisp sear on the outside locks in a rich, savory custard interior, a perfectly proportional contrast to delight the taste buds. No sugar need apply for this bold new breakfast option. Best of all, such a unique palate of flavors means that it needn’t be confined to the AM hours; ideal for brunch or dinner as well, the concept easily transcends traditional mealtime boundaries.

Toppings are hardly necessary when you start with such a brilliant base, but it’s impossible to resist a few generous slices of luscious avocado, at the very least. Pepitas add a hearty crunch, and the brightness of simple pico de gallo perfects the meal for me, but the sky is truly the limit. Dream up your own #OrganicMoments with a wide range of savory finishes, such as vegan cheese or sour cream, sliced tomatoes, grilled corn, shredded cabbage, or black beans. On the other hand, simply going au naturel and digging right in wouldn’t disappoint.

This post was made possible thanks to sponsorship by Simply Organic.

Yield: 2 - 3 Servings

Savory Tex-Mex French Toast

Savory Tex-Mex French Toast

Warm notes of chili peppers, tangy tomato, rich cumin, and savory oregano infuse this savory coconut milk-based take on French toast. A crisp sear on the outside locks in a rich, savory custard interior, a perfectly proportional contrast to delight the taste buds.

Ingredients

To Serve:

Instructions

  1. In a large, shallow dish, whisk together the coconut milk, simmer sauce, arrowroot, and nutritional yeast.
  2. Once smooth, dip the first two slices of bread into the mixture, allowing the pieces to soak for about a minute before flipping them over to the opposite side. You want to saturate the slices without having them disintegrate into the liquid.
  3. Meanwhile, begin heating a large skillet over medium heat. Use nonstick or lightly grease any other material. Once hot, gently place the saturated bread onto the sizzling surface, and let cook, undisturbed, for 3 – 4 minutes.
  4. Peek to check on the underside; if it’s nicely golden-brown, go ahead and give it a flip. Cook for another 3 – 4 minutes on the opposite side.
  5. Transfer to a serving plate and top with as many of the suggested garnishes as desired. Repeat with the remaining bread, and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

3

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 521Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 262mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 8gSugar: 2gProtein: 19g
© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: Tex-Mex / Category: Breakfast and Brunch

17 thoughts on “Simmer Down Now”

  1. Wow. This is the French toast I never knew I wanted! The savory side of French toast is much better suited to my taste buds than the sweet.

  6. […] Sweet dreams beget savory cravings. Balancing out a long days of baking that spill over into visions of sweets well beyond my waking hours, the first thing on my mind in the morning is anything but an […]

  7. Hi Hannah,

    The end of April 2016 I received news from my doctor I had to lose weight and bring down my cholesterol and blood sugar levels. I went from 194 to almost 164 lbs. My levels lowered. I felt really wonderful! I live in WI. Winter is not a friend to those who achieve what I achieved over the Spring/Summer/Fall. While I did not gain all the weight back, I did gain some pounds back. I’m not beating myself up about it, but I’m not happy. However, I know I will lose those I gained, plus the rest of it to get to my goal of 150. Now, I am facing the challenge of trying to return to the good, best, eating habits I experienced with the original weight loss. The thing is, I know what to do, but why am I not doing it? My memory of what I did last year is blank, I have tried to remember what I ate and my routine and I am clueless.

    A hint about me – sometimes, even though I’m full, I’ll pop something in my mouth, but there’s no reason for it. Why do I do this?

    I was wondering, is this something you would consider writing about on your blog?

    Thanks, Hannah – if nothing else, thank you so much for “listening”.

    Take care!

    Cheers, Carol šŸŒ“

    1. I agree with you winter is not a friend to eating healthy or body movement. There are so many weeks where the sidewalks are too icy to run, times when I end up taking the car to the market because the cold wind blows right through me. In summer I relish all the fruit and fresh produce. It can of course be done eating healthy and exercising through the winter but definitely more of a challenge. Good luck!

    2. Carol, your story is truly inspiring! Thank you for sharing about your successes, as well as your struggles. The situation may not be ideal right now, but your determination and optimism will absolutely carry you through. Every stumble is not a fall, so while you may get frustrated with short term setbacks, the fact that you’re aware of those hurdles is a huge step forward in itself. Admittedly, I don’t have much personal experience with dieting or weight loss, so I’m not sure I would feel comfortable discussing in more broadly on the blog. If you’d ever like support or simply a friend to listen through your journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m grateful you would be open enough to suggest the feature. :)

  10. Oy that bread. I have never thought to make a savory dish like this. I am inspired by tour creativity.

  11. It’s been years since the last time I had french toast, much too sweet so early in the day. But a savory french toast, now that’s a reason to get out of bed and into the kitchen. :-)

Leave a Reply