Custard French Toast

 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.