Brioche French Toast with Miso Caramel Sauce. Brunchy familiarity with exoticism at the same time!
Brioche French Toast & Miso Caramel Sauce, Spinal Tap, Mozart, Britney & Dua Lipa
I’m a pretty optimistic and resilient gal… but this last week was challenging. I think I’ve made running into a brick wall and getting up again a hilarious, unfortunate habit but we’re all tested from time to time. I realize now, it wasn’t an isolated work or a personal challenge that felt overwhelming. I had let outside circumstances and people dictate how I should feel, ignoring my inner voice telling me that these toxic situations were not about me, but about unresolved issues and frustrations due our current environment. Instead of normally addressing the issues head on and realizing what realistically was happening, my fatigue and amiability drifted me towards a barren island of self doubt, mistrust, and negativity.
Luckily, I found a life boat and realized how ridiculous and silly everyone is right now because of our world’s state of affairs. So I’ll keep this short and sweet. Sometimes, I don’t understand why people act nuts, but I truly try to understand where they are coming from. Normally, it’s from a place of hurt that never healed or a trigger from that hurt. Some people use that vulnerability as a weakness to cause further hurt for their own gain, intentionally or unintentionally. Others realize that vulnerability can make you stronger like steel. Here’s to recognizing who will destroy or build your strength and you having the fortitude to build rather than destroy (and when you mess up, to say “sorry"). I wish our politicians would do that! Now that I think about this, entire countries dictate their foreign policies on this premise.
Here’s Mozart’s "Der Hölle Rache” or the “Queen of the Night Aria” from the “Magic Flute.” In a vengeful range, the Queen of the Night places a dagger in the palm of her daughter, demanding her to assassinate her rival. I was 10 the first time I heard this and wondered what the heck she was singing about. Little did I know that it was an upscale, German version of the telenovelas we watched!
The Magic Flute – Queen of the Night aria (Mozart; Diana Damrau, The Royal Opera)
Because the Mozart Aria is in d minor “the saddest of all keys.” I’m always up for a good laugh.
A Mach piece (in D minor) by Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap
I have no idea what is happening with “accountable” pop culture nowadays and I still love Britney. I don’t know many people who would’ve had a career like hers and escape unscathed. Entertainment weeds out the weak. Here’s to the flight attendant costume! Maybe I’ll mortify my husband and wear this while working.
Britney Spears - Toxic (Official Video)
Arrangements are crucial to the overall concept and consumption of a piece of music.
Here’s Anthony Willis’ arrangement for “Promising Young Woman.” Completely different take from the original or the next arrangement. This happened to me with Beethoven the first time I tried pot. I never touched it again.
anthony willis - toxic (slowed + reverb)
Here’s what happens when you orchestrate Britney’s “Toxic” like a Bond film crossed with John Williams in a film scoring mishmash.
"Toxic" Orchestral Cover (Britney Spears) - Gaga Symphony Orchestra
Finally, this is what weekends are for! Here’s to your rejuvenation and balance.
Dua Lipa - We're Good (Official Music Video)
Thanks for reading! If you have some extra time and want a good laugh or are just curious, check out the million interpretations of “Toxic” on Spotify. There’s tango versions, ska versions, electronic versions. When the world is in chaos, it’s interesting to see who adds to the insanity or tries to create something artistic. I hope my analytical process of running into brick walls helps make you laugh, smile, and create something beautiful. Have a wonderful week! Xo, Melissa
Happy brunching! Here's to a weekend (or midweek) reset.
Brioche French Toast & Miso Caramel Sauce
Adapted from “Vanilla French Toast with Brown Sugar- Cranberry Sauce” in Huckleberry, Stories, Secrets, & Recipes from Our Kitchen by Zoe Nathan
Brioche French Toast
Ingredients
6 eggs
3/4 cup (180 ml) heavy cream
1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp kosher salt
6 slices Brioche or store bough challah, cut 1 in/2.5 cm thick
Whisk together the eggs, cream, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Soak the sliced bread in the custard until saturated but not falling apart, 1 to 2 minutes.
Preheat a greased griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Cook the French toast on each side until nice and brown.
Plate the French toast immediately and pout two giant spoonfuls of the sauce over the top. Serve while nice and hot.
Miso Caramel
By, THE MINX
Please follow “THE MINX” food blogger on : https://food52.com/users/10773-theminx
Ingredients
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 Tablespoons white miso
Directions:
In a heavy saucepan set over medium-high heat, stir together sugar and water. Without additional stirring, bring mixture to a. boil. Use a wet pastry brush to wash down any sugar crystals that form on the sides of the pan. When sugar becomes a deep golden brown and wisps of smoke just start to form, remove pan from heat.
Once off the heat, carefully pour in the cream, which will cause the caramel to bubble. Stir to combine. If the caramel seizes up and hardens with the addition of the cold cream, then put the pan back over low heat and stir until the caramel is liquid again. Whisk in the miso. Allow to cool slightly before pouring into a lidded container. Store in the refrigerator.
Remelt the sauce by putting some in a ramekin and microwaving it on high for 30 second intervals until hot and liquid-y. Serve over ice cream, pound cake, or just eat it cold out of the jar with a spoon.
Hint: I accidentally got a bit distracted (my toddler daughter came up to the stove while I was making the caramel and I freaked out). My caramel could have been cooked a bit longer with a deeper hue but in the end, it’s delicate honey color complimented the miso and looked understatedly chic (as opposed to a ubiquitous butterscotch caramel color.) I hope your unexpected moments are turned to an elegant fabulousness, too.
#briochefrenchtoast, #misocaramelsauce, #spinaltap, #mozart, #queenofthenight,#magicflute #britney, #toxic, #dualipa, #we're good
