yucatan style french toast

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Yucatán Style French Toast: Ultra Decadent

It’s ironic. The farthest away from Mexico I’ve been, the closest I’ve felt to my home country and the more I’ve gotten to know it.

Namely, there are 2,419 miles between my home in the DC area and the home I was born and raised in, in Mexico City (I’ve seen it in Google maps a thousand times with my boys), it’s a 44-hour drive if you go non-stop and a 5-hour flight with no connections.

Distance matters. It weighs, in tons of pounds of nostalgia that can be soothed in the kitchen. Distance has made my time in Mexico intense and adventurous, and the foods I am able to replicate in my American kitchen that much more precious.

It has been 15 years since we packed our bags to move from Mexico City to Texas. Since then, I’ve taken every opportunity to go back to visit. There is always something new to learn and something to rediscover. And there is always a dish that sticks with me in such a way that it has me running back home to make it for my boys. If they request it, time and again, it becomes a home staple that I hope to pass on.

That’s the case with the ultra decadent Yucatán style French toast, also known as caballeros pobres. I even included it on an episode called Brunch at the Jinich Home, from Season 3 of my TV series. It is very similar to a dish called Capirotada, in fact, some consider it Yucatan’s version of it.

Pati's Mexican Table shoot
Here’s Dan, our amazing director, showing me how the food looked on camera on the set at home.

We love eating it on Sundays for a late and lazy brunch.  It marks the weekend for us, when we can linger at the table. When I don’t mind making things that may have a few more steps, or may be messier to prepare, all of which the boys love to take on.

Dany and I tasted it for the first time in Yucatán 5 years ago. As we sat down at Los Almendros, a classic restaurant in Mérida, I did what I always do – which drives Dany crazy – and asked the waiter 3 questions:

1. What’s your favorite thing to eat from the menu? I can hear Dany saying “what do you care what he likes to eat Pati, what if he has a completely different taste preference than you, or what if he is pushing things out of the kitchen that aren’t selling?”

2. What is the most traditional food on the menu? I can hear Dany saying “some dishes may be included to show the restaurant’s authenticity regardless of how good they may be…”

3. What is, by far, the best seller here? I can practically see Dany rolling his eyes…

For #1, waiter said “caballeros pobres!” The poetic and contrasting name of the dish hooked me: translates to “poor gentlemen”. For #2, he said “caballeros pobres, it has been on the menu since the restaurant opened in 1962, it’s a dessert that’s existed since anyone in Merida can remember.” By that point I was ready to run to the kitchen to get one. For #3, he said “everybody orders caballeros pobres.” Ok. Done deal.

I am a fan of the French toast food category. The Yucatán style, however, is in a  league of it’s own.

french bread slices

It uses what is known in Mexico as pan francés or French bread, which is like a baguette but a bit thicker. Some versions use bolillos or teleras (just smaller in size). You are safe to use any crusty bread of your choice.

Then the thick slices are entirely soaked, drenched, in a mix of milk, vanilla and sweetened condensed milk. You heard that right: sweetened condensed milk.

pouring sweetened condensed milk

You know you want it.

I made it for a class on Yucatecan food at the Mexican Cultural Institute.  The 120 attendees were all oohs and ahs when I demoed the dipping of the bread in the sweetened condensed milk mix. Practically every one, wanted seconds, which I didn’t plan for.

coating bread slices

There’s more. Instead of dunking the bread in beaten whole eggs, the eggs are separated. The egg whites are beaten until stiff peaks are formed, as in a meringue, then the yolks are gently added to form a thick coating: a capeado.

dipping bread into egg mix

Hence, there may lay the gentlemen status of an everyday bread that is first soaked in a sweetened condensed milk bath, to be then fully dressed in a fluffy cape.

coating bread in egg mixture

Once luxuriously dressed, it is crisped and browned to golden status.

frying the french toast

That is not all: though at home we can happily eat it like that with a bit of honey, maple syrup or confectioner’s sugar.

fried french toast without syrup

The caballeros pobres are then sauced with a simple syrup flavored with true cinnamon, a few whole cloves and raisins.

syrup

You can make the syrup ahead of time and reheat it. You can also make it while you are dressing and browning the bread.

Wait: I am still missing the last garnish: chopped, crunchy, nutty almonds.

finished french toast with syrup and garnishes

Ok, wait, again: Some people add sherry to the syrup. That takes it to adult territory, which would pair well for a grown up brunch.

Of all the versions of Yucatán style french toast this recipe below is my favorite. Crispy, chewy, moist. I prefer to eat it hot and with the warm syrup on top as a main dish for a weekend breakfast or brunch. However, in Yucatán it is traditionally served very cold and for dessert. Then again, I have to admit that I always make extra to have leftovers in the refrigerator, so I can sneak into the kitchen at just about anytime, to eat them cold.

Yucatán-Style French Toast

Caballeros Pobres

Recipe Yield

6 to 8 servings

Cooking time

45 minutes

Rate this recipe

5 from 2 votes

Ingredients

For the syrup:

  • 4 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup raisins or to taste
  • 1 ceylon or true cinnamon stick
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 2 tablespoons Dry Sherry optional

For the toast:

  • 6 eggs separated
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • 1 large French baguette or thick baguette of your choice cut into 3/4-inch slices
  • 1/2 cup chopped almonds

To Prepare

  • Place a medium saucepan with the water, sugar, raisins, cinnamon and cloves over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and let it cook until it achieves the consistency of a light syrup and the flavors from the spices have infused the liquid, about 35 minutes. Turn off the heat. If you like a hint of alcohol in your dessert, add the sherry. Remove the cinnamon stick and cloves. Cover to keep warm.
  • Meanwhile, beat the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer or with a hand mixer over medium-high speed until they hold stiff peaks. Reduce the speed to low, add the yolks one by one and continue beating just until incorporated, so the volume will not decrease much.
  • In a large bowl, combine the milk, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla, stir until incorporated.
  • Set the bowl with the milk mixture beside the bowl with the beaten egg whites and yolks.
  • Fill a large sauté pan with about 1/4-inch of oil and heat over medium heat until hot, but not smoking, and you see ripples in the oil when you tilt the pan.
  • One at a time, dunk each piece of bread in the milk mixture until soaked, immediately dip into the egg mixture to completely cover, and place the coated slice in the hot oil. Fry for about a minute on one side, until golden brown, flip to the other side and do the same. Add as many bread pieces as will fit into the pan without over-crowding. When finished frying, place the bread pieces on a baking dish covered with paper towels to drain.
  • Traditionally, the “poor gentleman” pieces are placed on a platter, covered with the syrup and refrigerated. But I think they are a thousand times tastier served hot! Cover the pieces with warm syrup, sprinkle chopped almonds on top and serve.
  • If you have leftovers, cover the battered and fried bread pieces with the remaining syrup and almonds, and store covered in the refrigerator. I admit they are also fabulous cold.

Comments

39comments inYucatán Style French Toast: Ultra Decadent

  1. Marc

    Feb 02

    Yum, on my Bucket List

    1. Pati Jinich

      Feb 06

      Yay, enjoy!

  2. Marc

    Jul 25

    Can’t wait too cook this for my family, love your show Thank You and God Bless you

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 04

      Thanks to you Marc, let me know how they like it!

  3. Tomi

    Mar 31

    Hola, Pati—
    I just came across this recipe and plan to make it soon. My father was a big fan of capirotada and my mom made a huge casuela of it every year. I was never a fan myself—too over the top with so many contrasting flavors. By the time she was finished frying the bread and cooking the syrup I felt I’d eaten my share. However, I do recall my mom buying freshly baked french bread and spreading slices with sweetened condensed milk. So good! (Some may be aghast but I’ve heard some Midwesterners spread butter on bread then thickly sprinkle with sugar. Some eat bread spread with bacon grease.) Anyway, thanks for exploring the cuisine of Mexico and sharing with viewers. My guero husband is a big fan of your show and never hesitates to present me with one of your recipes for me to make!
    As Walter would say, con mucho, mucho, mucho amor!!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Apr 11

      Haha, you made me laugh Tomi. To me, French toast is different from Capirotada, here my recipe for you to check out. So happy your guero is enjoying my recipes, abrazos to both of you! http://patijinich.com/traditional-capirotada-with-mango-and-plantains/

  4. Sid Chauvin (known locally as the CA)

    Nov 20

    Pati, called up your site to get recipe for Orange/Chocolate swirl cake (19 November 2020 episode) and found this!!!
    Have not made as yet but WILL. I grew up in a Texas/Louisiana household and have been eating our family version of
    ‘Pain Pardu’ (lost bread) for over 75 years now. Have had many different renditions but yours sounds fabulous, can’t wait to cook it.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Nov 22

      So glad you found a recipe that makes you so happy Sid! Let me know how you like it when you cook it 😉

  5. Laurie Sikes

    Aug 15

    Looking forward to making this for my sister as she loves French Toast. Will do it for her 72nd Birthday. We love all Mexican food as born and raised in Central Coastal California. Raised with a pot of beans cooked on Mondays. My husband, family and friends say I make the best tacos. These are not the skinny ones you get in most restaurants but stuffed full with lard corn shells, oh so good.
    We love your show and look forward each week to seeing what is new. Making Chili Rellenos today to celebrate my 79th Birthday yesterday.
    God Bless America

    1. Pati Jinich

      Aug 23

      Thanks for your message Laurie and Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day and enjoyed the Chiles Rellenos 😉

  6. Gigi

    Sep 19

    Oh my goodness! I’ve watched you make this twice. Now I’ve found a recipe that will make my Family ? & mouth water. Top that off to a much better recipe than hubby’s…Hope I didn’t sound mean

    1. Pati

      Sep 19

      Hahaha…I’m so happy to hear your whole family loves the french toast!

  7. Mexiholic Kountry

    Sep 19

    This is going to be tomorrows breakfast
    Thank you

  8. Jean

    Oct 10

    Delicious, I saw you make this on TV and had to make it immediately at 11pm. I am a French Toast Queen and have made several versions. This is by far the absolute best, most delicious, french toast I’ve ever tasted. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Pati

      Oct 15

      I am thrilled to hear the recipe pleased the French Toast Queen! =) Thank you so much for trying it and for your kind words!

  9. Patty

    Jul 09

    OMGOSHHHHHH I just fell happily, gratefully into a FOOD COMA I have never seen Fr.toast prepared that way! I love breakfast for dinner, guess what’s on my next menu? Btw, my In-Law are from Zacatec, Mexico. I learned a great deal from my Mil, and her son is very happy about that

    1. Pati

      Jul 09

      Nice!

  10. Maxine

    Jan 13

    Love your program, my parents were born in New Mexico, but you certainly made me feel like this is where I belonged with food. I believe all wonderful food came from Mexico. Oh all the flavors and chile is wonderful. I loved recipe on coffee also, is it on your site? Look forward to your next show…….familia I am sure of.

    1. Pati

      Jan 15

      Than you so much, Maxine. Yes it is! Coffee is right here: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2010/01/cafe_de_olla_or_coffee_from_the_pot/

  11. andre

    Dec 28

    Pati I love your recipe and have used it several times. But I am going to use croissants as my bread. What do you think?

    1. Pati

      Dec 29

      That sounds AWESOME!

  12. Gladys

    Dec 13

    OMG! I can’t believe I never had this or could have my beloved mother who was Yucateca changed the french toast a bit? She did not used La Lechera sweetened condensed milk. I think she may not had it in hand at the time she was trying to make or she knows I was a picky eater when I was a kid. she had used regular milk instead. I continue to make french toast for my kids. its our favorite. I am going to try to make this and I will ask all my relatives from Yucatan why they did not served me for breakfast or dessert! How could I missed this?? thank you so much for sharing this. I am from DC area, too. Looking forward to your next blog.

    1. Pati

      Dec 15

      Gracias Gladys!

  13. Rosa del Carmen

    Nov 07

    I found your site by accident, since I live in California, and love not just the recipes but your detailed information and history on many of them. Great resource, congratulations on your success!

    1. Pati

      Nov 14

      Thank you, Rosa. I’m so happy you found my site. Please let me know if you ever have any questions about the recipes!

  14. Sonia

    Jul 24

    Where on this episode were you visiting. Eating the enchiladas and the tacos de lengua? Everything looked so delicious.

    1. Pati

      Jul 25

      That was in Morelia, Sonia, at the Servicentro.

      1. Sonia

        Jul 27

        Thank you! You responded so quickly 🙂

  15. sue

    Apr 13

    this was sooooooo great!! life is too short not to eat this at least once but this family will definitely eat it again

    1. Pati

      Apr 16

      Thank you!!

  16. Ronald Wolniewicz

    Mar 31

    I watch your show a couple of times and I like it. You had a showing for your Yucatán Style French Toast: Ultra Decadent. What’s the recipe please ? I’ve tried your website, can’t print / no printer. I tried your facebook posting which led me back to website. I know that you flatten slices of white bread, made a egg & milk bath, but feel I’m missing something.
    Thank You

    1. Pati

      Mar 31

      Hola Ronald, Thank you so much for watching! The Yucatán Style French Toast recipe is on my website here: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2014/01/yucatan-style-french-toast/. I hope you will try it & let me know what you think.

  17. Arthur in the Garden!

    Mar 01

    Yummy!

    1. Pati

      Mar 01

      ; )

  18. Tony

    Mar 01

    Wow! That took it to a whole new level. Sweet milk @ cafe…oo lala!
    Thanks Pati.

    1. Pati

      Mar 01

      Give it a try, Tony!

  19. Margy

    Mar 01

    I watched you make this on your show, almost had to lick the TV screen! I noticed the milk you used; I suspect that we both get our milk from the same local dairy (I’m in Baltimore). I was wondering if you have a favorite recipe for atole. I got hooked on it in Mexico when I would get a tamale and atole every morning for breakfast from one of the street venders. My favorite was chocolate. I made a recipe from a Mexican cookbook that mis amigos Mexicanos said was tasty, but thought that you might have a favorite recipe to share. ¡Muchísimas gracias! Margy

  20. Kirsten

    Feb 28

    YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to have to try this!

    1. Pati

      Feb 28

      Please do!!

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