The way my gong gong (grandfather) used to make French toast for me, but vegan.
My gong gong isn’t much of a chef; he’s a businessman. When I was younger, my parents would drop my siblings and I at our grandparents’ place during school holidays. Every morning, my gong gong would get up early to make us French toast. Not very Chinese of him haha, and his version is definitely not traditional. It resembles pan-fried egg bread more, but that was what we called it.
He would cut it into 9 squares (or 18 squares from 2 slices) and serve it to us with brown sugar which sounds terrible – literal sugar to a child – but it was actually the best combination ever. Soft warm bread and crunchy sugar. Besides, I think I turned out alright.
Every bite tastes like childhood. The first time I recreated it in my own kitchen, I felt like I was drunk on nostalgia. Just seeing the squares of French toast and little mound of brown sugar reminds me of him.
I actually feel really hesitant to share this recipe for some reason, I feel protective over my gong gong and my own childhood memories. Part of me wants to keep it for myself. But I pressed the publish button anyway LOL so here you go. I hope you enjoy 🙂
It’s a very simple recipe, but I think what made it special was his love for me.
Ingredients to make my gong gong’s french toast (vegan)
- 4 slices sandwich bread
- ½ cup chickpea flour sifted
- ¼ tsp black salt
- ⅓ cup water
- vegan butter for frying
- brown sugar to serve
Instructions
1. Make the batter: In a shallow plate, whisk together sifted chickpea flour, black salt and water to form the vegan ‘egg’.
- Cook french toast: Prepare a small pan over medium heat, and once the pan is hot, melt some vegan butter. Dip the bread into the batter on both sides quickly, then place immediately into the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook the french toast on each side for about 1 minute, until golden brown. Place on a wire rack so it won’t get soggy while you cook the remaining bread.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately with brown sugar, or other toppings of your choice.
More breakfast recipes to try:
If you made this recipe, do leave a comment and rating below because I love hearing your feedback. Make sure to tag me on Instagram @eatwkriss so that I can see your recreations!
Gong Gong’s French Toast (vegan)
Ingredients
- 4 slices sandwich bread
- ½ cup chickpea flour sifted
- ¼ tsp black salt
- ⅓ cup water
- vegan butter for frying
- brown sugar to serve
Instructions
- Make the batter: In a shallow plate, whisk together sifted chickpea flour, black salt and water to form the vegan 'egg'.
- Cook french toast: Prepare a small pan over medium heat, and once the pan is hot, melt some vegan butter. Dip the bread into the batter on both sides quickly, then place immediately into the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook the french toast on each side for about 1 minute, until golden brown. Place on a wire rack so it won't get soggy while you cook the remaining bread.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately with brown sugar, or other toppings of your choice.
Massive thank you to you and your Papa. I have been looking for a French toast recipe that would be like what I had as a kid forever! All other recipes were adding so many extras and I was just wanting a vegan version of what I had as a kid. This is exactly what I remember it being like! And it was so quick and simple to make. So thank you for the first French toast I’ve had in over 10 years! 🙂 X
that’s exactly how i feel too, and im so glad you enjoyed it! much love <3