Description
Cheese grenki is a delicious Russian twist on classic French toast, featuring thick slices of bread soaked in a spiced egg and milk mixture, pan-fried with garlic and melted cheese for a savory breakfast treat.
Ingredients
Bread and Egg Mixture
- 3-4 slices of thick bread
- 2-3 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk (or equal mixture of milk and cream)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Spices of your choice (oregano, chili, etc.)
Cheese and Toppings
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (vegan or regular)
- Nutritional yeast (optional, for enhanced cheesy flavor)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
- Ripe tomatoes (optional, for serving)
Cooking Fats
- 1 Tbsp butter (or vegan butter replacement)
- 2 Tbsp oil
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese: Grate 1/2 cup of cheese and mix with nutritional yeast if using, to increase the cheesy flavor.
- Prepare Garlic and Bread: Mince the garlic finely and cut the bread into thick slices suitable for soaking.
- Make Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs vigorously until bubbly and fluffy. Add milk, salt, pepper, and your preferred spices, mixing well to combine.
- Heat Pan: Place a heavy-bottomed pan with a lid on medium heat, add butter and oil, and allow it to melt and heat thoroughly, preparing the surface for frying.
- Soak Bread: Dip each bread slice into the egg mixture, letting it soak for 5-10 seconds per side depending on bread type—less for fluffy white bread, more for dense rye bread.
- First Side Fry: Place soaked bread slices onto the preheated pan and cover with a lid. Fry for 2 to 5 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown, carefully avoiding burning.
- Add Cheese and Garlic, Flip and Finish Cooking: Flip the bread to the other side, reduce heat to low-medium. Sprinkle the just-fried side with grated cheese and minced garlic. Cover with the lid to allow cheese to melt and bread to cook through, about 5 minutes.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked grenki to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Serve immediately garnished with chopped parsley or cilantro, and optionally topped with ripe tomatoes and sour cream.
Notes
- Adjust soaking time of bread according to bread density to avoid sogginess or dryness.
- Use vegan butter and cheese for a dairy-free version.
- Covering the bread while frying helps melt the cheese properly without burning the bread.
- Serve hot for the best texture and flavor.
- Optional toppings like sour cream and tomatoes add creaminess and freshness.
