Recipe: Sweet French Toast with Maple Syrup & Berries

I love Sundays. There's a bit of a routine - a lie in, and then brunch of some sort, usually eggs, but occasionally something a little bit more special.

I also love berries, but I rarely buy them. I refuse to be disappointed by fruit grown half a world away, picked too early and sold underripe. There's a little window in early summer though when locally grown berries emerge, and that's when I indulge. British fruit is so much sweeter and juicer, it deserves to be enjoyed properly.

Sweet French Toast with Maple Syrup & Berries
Serves 2

4 slices of bread
3 eggs
100ml milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp mixed spice or cinnamon
butter, for frying
fresh berries and maple syrup, to serve.

In a large shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, mixed spice, vanilla and sugar.
Cut the bread slices into halves or quarters, and dip into the egg mix. Make sure each side gets a good coating, and stack them on the side of the dish to absorb the mix.
Using a medium heat, melt a small knob of butter in a non-stick frying pan.
Fry the bread until it darkens on both sides and the bread is cooked through. You might need to do this in batches.

Serve on hot plates, with handfuls of fresh berries and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.

Eating out of berry season? Bananas, flaked almonds and honey would be delicious as an alternative.