French Toast, Waffles, and Breakfast Strata

• recipe

  Breakfast Strata with Spinach and Gruyère

  The right blend of four staple ingredients—bread, eggs, cheese, and cream—produces a savory breakfast casserole that's simple and satisfying.

• recipe

  French Toast for Challah or Sandwich Bread

  For toast that's consistently crisp on the outside but custardlike on the inside, the secret is to match the batter to the bread.

• recipe

  The Best Buttermilk Waffles

  The best waffles are crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside, like a soufflé with crunch; the secret is buttermilk.

• equipment

  Waffle Irons

  No matter how foolproof the recipe, all waffles will be rubbery and flaccid if cooked in the wrong waffle iron.

• taste test

  Maple and Pancake Syrup

  Does it pay to buy the priciest syrup in the aisle—and does it even need to be real maple?