Everyday How-To: Crunch French Toast

Video - December 6, 2007

Some of you may recall rumors of Nicole and me starting another show. Unfortunately, we had to shelve the idea due to the increasing demands of The Wood Whisperer and Nicole’s “real” job. We only shot one episode and had no idea what to do with the footage. So I decided to do a very rough edit and release it here. Since most of you know Nicole and I pretty well, I figured you would get a kick out of it. It’s not woodworking, but it’s fun. So happy holidays and be sure to try a batch of this awesome Crunchy French Toast.

Recipe for Crunchy French Toast

5-7 bread pieces
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp.vanilla
1 Tbsp cinnamon
3 Tbsp flour (all purpose)
1/8 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp butter (for the pan)
1 1/2 cup of Honey Bunches of Oats with or without Almonds (crushed)

Discussion

Roger (rjack) December 12, 2007 1:49 pm

Marc,

Very amusing, but I think you should stick with the woodworking. Do you also snort glue? :)

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Bas December 12, 2007 1:56 pm

OK, forget this woodworking stuff. Just put a few camera’s in the house and horse around all day. Watch the advertising money pour in. I got a good laugh out of it, you guys are great :-)

Bas.

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Brandon December 12, 2007 2:53 pm

Very nicely done. I think I am going to give it a try soon. I love the bloopers at the end. I really enjoyed them at the end of your woodworking podcasts too. Keep up the good work.

B

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Mike in St. Paul December 12, 2007 3:24 pm

That was a riot…

If you guys only had a network morning show together, you would crush the Today Show and G.M.A. Great stuff. That coffee scene about put me on the floor.

Maybe someday you can resume this project. “Wake Up with the Spags!” Thanks for sharing.

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Kyle December 12, 2007 4:00 pm

oh that was awesome. i feel like i just had breakfast with the spagnuolo’s.

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Jason December 12, 2007 4:28 pm

My Favorite Muffin! Marc do I miss those days!!!!!! You had pink hair back then!

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Tim aka Mopardude December 12, 2007 4:32 pm

Was ok show. Didn’t seem like a finely tuned machine like your woodworking shows if you know what I mean. Show seems to be to general not sure if it would keep my attention in the long run. I like cooking but I am not much into watching cooking shows. If you would have started with a computer show I would probably would have enjoyed in more though!

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Drew December 12, 2007 5:09 pm

Now that was quality entertainment! Crunchy french toast, syrup storage solutions and coffee snorting all in one show! If this show takes off the DIY network is done for.

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Nicole December 12, 2007 5:15 pm

LOL Tim, you did read the intro to the video right? I agree it needed to be tightened up and edited more and I’m sure we would have done that if we had more time to devote to it. The sole purpose of releasing the video was for fun. Which you have to admit the outtakes at the end were fun :) Thanks for the critique though Ebert.

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William December 12, 2007 5:17 pm

Fun stuff, Marc, but focus, focus, focus. You’re on a tremendous roll with your woodworking. Leave the cooking to the Food Network. There is nothing like what you are doing with woodworking on the internet. Stay focused, dude! Gotta see how that end table is going to work out!

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thewoodwhisperer December 12, 2007 5:23 pm

Disclaimer: For proper understanding of any and all video posts, it is imperative that you READ the accompanying text BEFORE you post a comment. Otherwise Nicole will hunt you down and gut you like a fish.

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William December 12, 2007 7:05 pm

Read? Who the heck has time to read when there are podcasts to watch?

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Shotspot December 12, 2007 8:20 pm

That is the largest vat of syrup I have ever seen. When I saw you going for the syrup, I figured the obvious go-to for the wood guy is MAPLE, but I was mistaken.

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Bas December 12, 2007 8:22 pm

“hunt you down and gut you like a fish.”
Now that would be a GREAT topic for Everyday How-To. Although technically it’s another cooking show.

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Dean December 12, 2007 8:44 pm

Boy no kidding about being able to read and doing so before making comments. I guess we can have as much fun laughing at the comments from people that obviously have no idea of what is going on. Marc putt Nicole on them with the filet knife. I think she can handle this one. I for one thought it was funny and I enjoyed seeing it. I like the fresh smell of coffee like you do but I think it just about put Nicole out. Good job of entertaining.

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Germain December 12, 2007 8:49 pm

Oh, cool, Nicole also reads the comments! First, great to see you again, Miss Nicole. I always enjoy your cameos. Here we got to see you in an entire video, which is great. Second, I do watch ‘Good Eats’. Alton Brown is one of my heroes. (Of course, he’s no Wood Whisperer.)

We all know any successful man has a great woman supporting him. Therefore, please know your efforts are appreciated, even when we see only a cameo.

P.S. You might try real maple syrup. It’s more expensive than the stuff at the discount club, but it’s worth it!

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Lori December 12, 2007 10:55 pm

Hey Marc and Nicole…I totally see where you are going with that video…I think it’s great. The one thing that sets you apart from the rest of the t.v. world is that you are “REAL”!!! That’s what people want to see…we don’t want to see perfection…no one is perfect so why should we pretend to be…LOL

Great job..actually I think it was perfect the way it was…it made me feel like I was at a friends house watching them cook french toast, minus the video camera of course. Great job…thanks for showing that to us…it was cool!!!

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Scott December 12, 2007 11:40 pm

Quite entertaining. Am I the only one that misses this level of silliness in my Wood Whisperer episodes? I know this seems odd, but a lot of the draw for me to the earlier WW episodes (Episode 2 – The King and his Castle comes to mind) was that they weren’t so “professional” and polished-looking.

Chant with me everyone: “Bring back the silly shirts! Bring back teh silly shirts!”

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JohnJ December 13, 2007 8:19 am

I think you guys should still pursue this venture even if at a slower rate. The both of you make a good team with a natural chemistry that shines in the video. When you mentioned that in the video that you were going to do future episodes on shopping and computer related information I already started looking forward to it. I haven’t seen anyone else out there doing it. It’s a good idea.
As a side note, I went to everydayhowto.com and while checking out the site, I saw an ad for Ambien CR which was a medication I was looking for. Thanks. :-)

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William December 13, 2007 8:20 am

“I guess we can have as much fun laughing at the comments from people that obviously have no idea of what is going on.”

Or perhaps, just maybe, the comments are written with the same tongue-in-cheek as the podcast. The medium becomes the message, you know.

Ditto on the real maple syrup. The stuff you get in the 55 gallon drum is maple flavored corn syrup. Hardly worthy of a woodworker. Go 100% maple. C grade is fine for crunchy french toast.

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Germain December 13, 2007 8:47 am

Here, here! Bring back the silly shirts! And bring back the silliness. Bloopers are also a nice touch. If I wanted polished perfection, I’d watch Martha Stewart.

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thewoodwhisperer December 13, 2007 9:00 am

I just wore a shirt in the edge banding episode that said, “Its getting Hoff in here”. Is that not silly enough for you!?!?

And as for the humor, keep in mind that it is rarely planned. I promised myself from the first episode that I would not FORCE the humor. So if I don’t come up with a funny skit or a joke, it just won’t happen. I am not a comedy writer. And if I were I would be on strike anyway. :)

Oh and by the way, this new style of filming projects as I go allows for even less comedy. This is pretty much due to the fact that I am filming as I am working. And even more bad news: I don’t wear my funny shirts while I am doing my real woodworking, so I opt for the Wood Whisperer t’s. So chant all you want, my friends! Chant away! There are forces at play here bigger than all of us. (I don’t really know what that means, but it sounded cool)

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Dean December 13, 2007 9:21 am

Sounds like the all love you and Nicole and want more of it.

Well for that to happen they need to send in the donations so you can keep eating the French toast.

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Andy N December 13, 2007 9:21 am

Hi,
I enjoyed the show also! My wife doesn’t like regular french toast because she thinks it’s too soft, so I’ll definitely have to try the pre-toasting trick and the extra cereal crunch. Sounds good.
I also have 2 other comments:
First is another vote for real maple syrup. Wow. Once you get used to the good stuff, you’ll never go back to corn syrup. Kind of like trying to use wet 2x4s from the home center in a fine woodworking project – once you’ve used good kiln-dried cherry or walnut, nothing else compares.
Second, I like the lizard magnet (I have one just like it except brown colored), but other than that, your fridge seems too clean. Did you pull off a bunch of photos, recipes, appointment reminders, and other random magnets before filming, or is your fridge really that clean? Or is it full-thickness stainless steel so it’s not magnetic?

Anyway, thanks for doing the show, and I’d look forward to more of them (if they didn’t interrupt the Wood Whispering), even if they’re not done on a regular schedule!

Andy

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Edwin from Toronto December 13, 2007 10:32 am

Nicole-

Look at that with a critical eye. Marc hogs almost every scene. Now he has you behind the camera. What is going on here?

Thanks for sharing.

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thewoodwhisperer December 13, 2007 11:01 am

You trying to get me in trouble Edwin? LOL My goal is to be a taller version of Regis.

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Marie December 13, 2007 1:08 pm

I agree with Mike in St Paul, this is definitly better than any thing on the networks today. I greatly identify with the coffee scene. roflol, what else can I say!

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Zorn December 13, 2007 1:19 pm

I like to put my bread in the microwave for 1 minute per slice.. then joint the inside edges and glue them up and make jumbo bread :P

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- Frank Kovach October 1, 2009 3:40 pm
  
  I have to admit I cracked up at that one.
  
  Reply
Charles December 13, 2007 4:10 pm

Fun post… great to see another side of the you guys! The holiday gifting guide post that you guys did also had me laughing (that People magazine tangent in the intro was Emmy-worthy Marc…. or at least People’s Choice-worthy… ;-P)

The recipe seems to be missing a critical detail though, specifically the exact moisture content of the bread. I’m currently stuck in my kitchen with my moisture meter probes firmly entrenched in my bread and I have no exact idea of the desired moisture content before it can be properly worked… Help!!! I’m starving here!!!

P.S. Thanks so much for the goodies.. I wear my shirt with pride!

Wishing you two have a Very Merry Christmas!

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Mike December 13, 2007 5:27 pm

Hey Marc & Nicole –

Very entertaining. It’s a shame that this is a one shot deal. I think the only thing missing from this episode would be the newly patented Spagnuolo
Smell-O-Vision. If it could be done, I’m sure you’d figure it out!

Take care! Mike

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Vic December 13, 2007 8:00 pm

Great fun guys. “Gelman! Smell this coffee!!! What is that, Zimbabwe!?!” Thanks for the early Christmas gift.As you know, I download to my Zune and playback at the office. Everyone was looking in my door, wondering what I was laughing about. I told them they wouldn’t understand. I too, miss the tom-foolery. But, I know you can’t script natural humor. I think the quote on an early Woodtalk was “You can’t force the genius”.
I agree.

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Parker December 13, 2007 9:35 pm

Great fun stuff. I decided to check in at the Wood Whisperer because I saw Nicole saying she liked the racoon on youtube on a video called seesmix 24. Careful with that seesmic. I know this guy ‘loraxchris'(on seesmic) who thinks he is still a podcaster but I’m thinking his seesmic addiction will on longer allow that. I hope I’m wrong on that.

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Bojan December 13, 2007 10:45 pm

Nice kitchen… Where did you buy it? :)

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Joe December 14, 2007 7:48 am

Good thing she’s so cute. You should stick to the woodworking :)

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Shawn December 14, 2007 7:58 am

Loved the video, I’m disappointed that there won’t be additional episodes!

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Francois December 14, 2007 11:11 am

Hi Marc & Nicole,

I’ll try your receipe for sure but as a “woodwhisperer” you should have tried with maple syrup. If you can’t get some i’m ready for a trade ;)

About your new show: well, i like coocking, woodworking, I have a huge movie teather (yamaha projector & sounds)………… well I think i’m in your target in your new development.

Bon app

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Cutter Head December 14, 2007 5:58 pm

i dont think theres much i can add exept….
PLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE make more of these podcasts,
don’t make me beg…i’ll do it. LOL

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Ronaldo December 18, 2007 2:00 am

You should do it with stale bread (that’s why it’s called “pain perdu” in French, which translates to something like “wasted bread”).
Then you’ll have proper moisture content ;)

I really like the drawer pulls (the “S” shaped ones) !!
are those custom made ?

~Ron

ps. when we will see a wood turning video with Nicole?

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thewoodwhisperer December 18, 2007 9:46 am

Stale bread would be the smart thing. We are talking about Nicole and Marc here. :)

The pull are far from custom. Lowes sells them for a pretty reasonable price. lol

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Ronaldo December 19, 2007 3:50 am

Well, in France we use stale bread (which is also good for fondues, and it’s the season for that hehe).
“Nothing is lost, nothing is created, all is transformed” ;))

No Lowes around here, but I’ll check the local stores, thanks Marc!

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Frank Kovach November 28, 2009 5:02 pm

Making this for the third time (second time today) for my in laws, and it is great. I’m experimenting with seasonings now. I will tell you this: toasting that bread slightly beforehand is absolutely vital to the final outcome.

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Frank Kovach April 18, 2010 6:42 am

Made it this morning Marc and Nicole. As good as ever. I added sugar to the mix, and burned the bread. Don’t have a toaster right now, so put the bread in the oven on low for a minute, dropped a piece when taking it out. Oops. Not to worry, though, the dredging and the crunchy cereal covered up the burn mark.

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Stacey December 13, 2010 5:22 pm

Oh that was priceless! :-D

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Shawn April 27, 2011 5:45 am

Ha, I love that intro music is the “Tom’s Tips” theme from WTOR. Priceless. Of course I guess this probably came first, huh?

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Bryan V June 30, 2011 7:01 am

Marc,

Have you ever thought about bringing a pod-cast like this back? It would be pretty cool if you did, or maybe just have people submit videos to you for it?

Though i can understand if you didn’t, you probably don’t have the time for it with everything going on in your life right now.

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Jay February 5, 2012 7:30 pm

Marc/Nicole,

Glad you stuck with TWW…let’s just leave it at that!

LOL

Jay

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Alex May 11, 2014 3:30 pm

I just finished watching this video of you too and it’s a shame you two did not carry this on. I think this would have been a big hit, love your show good luck in the future and maybe you can revisit this later on.

Reply

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Everyday How-To: Crunch French Toast

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