I’ve written about this month’s Top Mom, Marina, and her seemingly easy, breezy style at pulling off major league fun parties back in December of 2009 when I attended her annual Holiday boutique party. (Sheesh, this is when I first launched my blog – don’t even look.) Besides her girl time get-togethers, Marina and her husband traditionally host, not one, but at least three parties a year – de rigueur in the annual party line-up are a costume party for Halloween, a winter casino party, and a 4th of July party and you can expect to see usually around 200 of their closest friends, family members, neighbors, work associates past and present, and friends of their two beautiful daughters. This 4th of July was no exception…
In years past, as soon as school was out we would escape to the Ozarks for a summer sojourn at the lake and stay through the 4th to gather with family and friends to shoot off some big-guns fireworks – outside of California there’s very few pyrotechnics that you cannot buy and ignite to celebrate our nation’s independence. But this year, circumstances found us at home and we were excited to be a part of the patriotism and shenanigans that surround the Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade and join the party at Marina and Gary’s house – which, of course, is perfectly located one block from the parade route and party central 🙂
FYI for next year – the Annual 4th of July Parade and celebrations in Huntington Beach begins with the Surf City Run (all levels) and ends with an amazing fireworks display at the beach – and it’s all free! There’s something for everyone and it’s a unique combination of family fun, small town charm, all-American patriotism, beach city vibe, and neighborhood block party. Billed as the largest Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi, with an estimated 100,000 people lining the 3-mile route from Pacific Coast Highway to Main St., this year’s parade was the 107th.
Back to the party and food for 200… Marina pulls this off with two core dishes that everyone has come to love. First, the rich, creamy Crème Brulee French Toast – if you love crème brûlée and French toast then you’ll be in heaven; and a hearty, cheesy egg and tater tot casserole that I named Eggs Napolean, because I’ll never think of tater tots the same way after seeing the 2004 sleeper hit, cult classic movie Napolean Dynamite 🙂
Spoiler alert: major crowd pleasers but in no way low-calorie and, as with any party, requires prep time the night before and the help of some awesome friends and relatives! To give credit where its due, this recipe is nothing new and can be found on Food Network and Epicurious, but don’t let that dissuade you from making it to satisfy the hungry masses at one of your family gatherings. I swear, and Marina can testify, that every man, woman, and child will rave about it!
Crème Brulee French Toast
Yield: 8-10 servings | Level: Easy
½ cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 round loaf country-style bread*
5 eggs
1 ½ cups half and half
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp Grand Marnier
1/4 tsp salt
*other good breads to use are Texas Toast or challah
Trim crusts from bread.
In a small heavy saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over moderate heat, stirring, until smooth.
Pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish. Arrange bread in one layer in baking dish, squeezing them slightly to fit.
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla, Grand Marner and salt until well combined. Pour evenly over the bread. Chill bread mixure, covered, for 8 hours or over night.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring bread mixture to room temperature. Bake uncovered until puffed and edges are pale golden, approximately 30 – 40 minutes.
Note: No additional syrup is required for the fluffy toast wrapped in a caramelized crust – maybe some crisp, salty bacon to make it sing! Not planning any parties for 200? Crème Brulee French Toast is ideal for a weekend brunch or breakfast when you want to relax and spend time with visiting friends or family.
Enjoy 🙂
Being more of a savory person and an egg lover at breakfast, I’m still partial to Eggs Napolean 🙂 Either way, you’ll be a happy camper!
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July 5 at 12:19 pm200 people! That’s amazing!! I bow to Marina. 🙂
That french toast sounds so yummy-good!! I think you had me at Grand Marnier. 😉
Jessica
July 5 at 3:05 pmThat is one fantastic party! Creme brulee french toast is such a great idea. It looks delicious! I love your suggestion of crispy bacon to go on top!
Sippitysup
July 5 at 5:51 pmWho says the OC can’t throw a party? Oh yeah, I say that. This just proves me wrong! GREG
pachecopatty
July 5 at 6:16 pmParty for 200 no problem – I like the way you think;-)
I’m saving this delicious recipe, just in case I’m ever brave enough to take the big party plunge;-)
Monet
July 5 at 7:35 pmWhat a fabulous party! I wish I could have dropped by 🙂 After a long day at work, it was refreshing to come and visit your blog. I hope you are having a good start to your week. Much love and many hugs from Austin! Thank you for sharing with me.
Julia
July 5 at 8:48 pmIm drooling over the eggs Napoleon!!!! And the french toast, but dang, those eggs, they’re killin me!
Angie's Recipes
July 6 at 1:07 amThat’s hot party! The French toast recipe sounds terrific!
Emily @Cleanliness
July 6 at 7:04 amGreat pictures and great recipe!
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July 6 at 8:07 amWow, that is a fearless Top Mom! The french toast sound divine right now.
Carolyn
July 6 at 3:14 pmParty of 200? That would scare the bejeezus out of me. Thank goodness for people like Marina who show us the way!
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July 6 at 3:20 pmWow party of 200! She is my idol. LOL looks like a super fun long weekend. Both breakfast recipes look delish!
Kim - Liv Life
July 6 at 3:26 pmOh my! Creme Brulee French Toast?? Say no more!! I’m sold! What a trooper to handle such a big event, I’ll bet it was exhausting but also exhilirating!
spcookiequeen
July 6 at 8:00 pmMarina is my kind of woman. Way to throw a party. I thought my family was big, but 200 is well a lot. Perfect dishes to do in large quantities, I love small town things like a parade, I wish my town had one. Sounds like a great weekend.
-GIna-
Sandra's Easy Cooking
July 6 at 8:23 pmWhat a great party..looks like everybody is having an awesome time!!! I love this post..fun for sure!
Nami @ Just One Cookbook
July 7 at 12:55 am200?! It can be like someone’s wedding…. The french toast looks delicious! Everyone must have enjoyed this! I’m impressed!!!
Lilly
July 7 at 12:56 amWOW hosting a party for 200 people! I tremble when I think about hosting a party for just 40 people. Love great party food and it looks like you guys got plenty of that!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
July 7 at 1:21 amOh my that French Toast, heavenly! Can you tell I’m a sweet breakfast person, lol.
Magic of Spice
July 8 at 5:20 pmOh wow…next year I’m taking the day off! What a grant celebration, and I must try this French toast ASAP 🙂
Kim
July 10 at 4:57 pmWOW. That is quite a party! And who cares where the creme brulee recipe is from – good is good!
[K]