Pardon my French toast? After eyeing my meal, I had second thoughts

It’s amazing how an idea you would reject out of hand during the day can sound inspired at midnight.

Such was the case with my French toast, one of my favorite late-night snacks because of its portability. It fits easily on a small plate next to my computer when I’m working, and, it is just right on my nighttable if I’m involved in a middle-of-the-night movie.

Usually one piece is fine and I make it in my small frying pan which I keep on top of the stove for just such occasions. But the other night, I was particularly hungry and the idea of two pieces beckoned. I was also feeling a bit lazy, so I decided to forgo opening the bottom cabinet, pulling the shelf out with my foot and reaching all the way into the back for the larger frying pan.

“I just need to be innovative,” I said to Lark Kitty who was passing through the kitchen. By this time in my life, I should know that innovation can be harmful to my health. However, there was no stopping me. I sized up the round pan with the two square slices of bread with the phrase “square peg in round hole” repeating in my head.

Highly motivated, I cut the bread into different sizes and shapes, bathed them in batter and popped them in the preheated pan. Immediately they got cozy with each other. Talk about sticking together. They bonded in battered bliss. When I turned them over, having let them dance in the butter too long, black circles had formed from the burnt bread. Little black eyes were pleading with me.

My desire for French toast was receding. How could I eat the oddly shaped pieces when they looked so cute? Did I mention that I had already named them? Small rounds of squishy tummies with square legs, and a new shape that I invented to serve as arms, sizzled in unison stared with haunted eyes.

Clearly, I couldn’t eat the little guys. I poured them into a container and put them in the refrigerator. Maybe I’d feel differently by breakfast.

Every day is a new adventure.

Email patriciabunin@sbcglobal.net. Follow her on  X @patriciabunin and at patriciabunin.com.