Orange scented French Toast

So what do you do when you can’t go anywhere? I cook and bake, if you are more ambitioned you might be cleaning out your closets or the king of ambition – you tackle a remodel. I can’t put my mind to anything meaningful but baking and just so that I feel somewhat accomplished I cleaned the car this weekend. This version of French Toast is very “European” to me as its not very fatty (its baked in the oven and not fried with butter in a pan), it also is not overly eggy like your usual French Toast. Many many years ago when I lived on Capitol Hill there was a little Greek Breakfast place (El Greco) on Broadway that served this type of French Toast and since I have never found it anywhere else I started to re-create it. The special ingredient in this French Toast is superb eggy Brioche or Challah, 3 different types of “milk” and orange zest.

Ingredients: makes 6-8 French Toasts

3 eggs
1/2 a cup milk
1/4 cup cream
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 – 1 teaspoon orange zest
6-8 slices Brioche or Challah
Additionally: Powdered sugar, fruit, syrup, whipped cream, chocolate chips, honey, peanut butter, fruit butters, jam (the options are limitless)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Mix all the ingredients together
Spread the bread out on a baking sheet (with rim) and pour the mixture evenly over the bread. Let it soak for 10 minutes. Turn slices over and let soak another 10 minutes
Line another baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer soaked bread slices to lined baking sheet and bake on 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes total or until puffy and golden brown. Turn slices over after 15 minutes, so they brown evenly from both sides.
In the meantime prepare your favorite fruit
Put 2 slices of French Toast on each plate, dust powered sugar over the toast and serve it with fruit like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and syrup. A side of bacon is also tasty!