French Toast Rolls

Pietro Ferrero, owner and founder of the Ferrero Company from the Piedmont district of Italy, invented the spread. Ferrero originally began adding hazelnuts to chocolate during WWII when cocoa was being rationed. Hazelnuts were plentiful in the Piedmont area, and they helped to stretch the amount of cocoa Ferrero was allotted during rationing. 

Nutella was a hit with children, for obvious reasons. Adults also loved that the tasty treat was less expensive than pure chocolate. Italian markets caught on to the popularity, and began offering children a “smearing.” This meant that kids could show up at their local food store with a slice of bread and have it “smeared” in Nutella.

European families enjoyed Nutella as a breakfast and snack food for more than 40 years before it was introduced to the United States. In 1983, Nutella was imported from Italy to the United States for the first time, and it is now available worldwide. While there’s no denying that we love Nutella in America, it’s more popular throughout Europe. In French and Italian grocery stores, there are entire sections dedicated to Nutella, with nearly every variety of jar you can imagine, from snack size to king size.

Nutella was in the news after being sued by two moms for false advertising. For years Nutella has claimed that its simple recipe of "roasted hazelnuts, " skim milk and a hint of cocoa" contributed to a balanced diet when eaten in moderation. After doing a little research, the moms found that nutella has as healthy as a candy bar. Its only real nutritional value coming from the whole grain toast it was served on. While there frustration is understandable, when something taste as good as nutella chances are its not healthy. The ad campaign might have better focused on nutella flavor, rather then the nutritional value. It's very tasty, it's not a health food, and its probably best not to eat it every day. Everything in moderation. 

Research Source: The History Kitchen

Try this recipe for French Toast Rolls. One of many ways to enjoy bread.

French Toast Rolls

Copyrighted 2013, Christine’s Pantry. All rights reserved.

Ingredients:

6 slices bread

nutella

2 tablespoons butter

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Cut the crust from bread. Using your clean hands, slightly flatten each slice of bread. Add 1 teaspoon of nutella on each slice of bread. Roll each slice of bread. Set aside until you finish each slice.

In a bowl, whisk eggs. In another bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.

In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Soak bread in eggs, add to hot skillet, and cook until golden brown. Then roll in sugar and cinnamon mixture. Enjoy!