Martha's Perfect French Toast

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 orange, juice of
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons liquor (i use almond or orange flavored, martha's recipe states cognac)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (splenda works equally well)
• 1 lemon, zest of
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch salt
• 6 slices bread, 1-2 days old (1 inch pieces, challah or brioche are best)
• canola oil, for frying (any neutral oil will do, may add unsalted butter for more flavor)
• powdered sugar
• maple syrup
• mixed berry

Recipe

• 1 whisk together eggs, milk, juice, vanilla, liquor, sugar, zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
• 2 place bread in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold bread slices in a single layer.
• 3 pour egg mixture over bread; soak 10 minutes.
• 4 turn slices over (carefully) and soak 5-10minutes more, until soaked through.
• 5 preheat oven to 200 deg f. place a wire rack on a baking sheet, and set aside.
• 6 heat canola oil (with some butter if so wish) in a skillet over medium heat.
• 7 fry half the bread slices until golden brown, around 3 minutes per side.
• 8 transfer to wire rack; place in oven while cooking remaining bread.
• 9 wipe skillet and repeat with fresh oil/butter and bread.
• 10 keep in oven until ready to serve.
• 11 serve with dusted powdered sugar and maple syrup (i like fresh berries on top, too).