This is best with Challah bread, but any sturdy bread will do.
CUSTARD FRENCH TOAST
(makes 8 slices)
Ingredients:
*1 loaf challah bread or sturdy bread
*2 cups heavy cream (can use half & half)
*5 large eggs
*1 teaspoon grated orange peel
*1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*1 tablespoon honey
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
*1 tablespoon butter & 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for frying
*powdered sugar (for dusting French toast)
Directions:
~Slice bread into about 1 inch slices.
~Place on a cookie sheet and allow to dry out overnight, all day to dry out (or place in a 275 degree oven for about 10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool).
~Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
~In a large bowl, add heavy cream, eggs, orange zest, vanilla, honey, and salt
~Using an immersion blender mix mixture until well mixed (you can do this with a whisk, but using a blender mixes the seasonings in better.
~Pour mixture into a 9 x13 inch baking pan.
~Soak bread into egg mixture for about 5 minutes, turning half way through.
~In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat (this should be cooked slowly, so that the center gets cooked to).
~Remove bread from egg mixture, allowing excess egg mixture to drip off.
~Place into pan (4 pieces at time if they fit without crowding).
~Cook 3-5 minutes per side, or until a golden brown.
~Place on cookie sheet and place in oven until you are done cooking the remaining French toast.
~Remove from oven and sprinkle with a light dusting of powdered sugar. Then topped with butter and syrup.