No fail Breakfast!

I LOVE French Toast! Seriously, it is one of my most favorite breakfast meals.  I have played with variations of French Toast from time to time but I must say its nothing like the real thing baby. It is so simple yet such a treat for snowed in days like this one. So enough talkter out of me here's what to do!

RANDI'S CLASSIC FRENCH TOAST

Ingredients

• 1 cup half-and-half
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons honey, warmed in microwave for 20 seconds
• 1/8 teaspoon orange zest OR 1 tbsp OJ (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 (1/2-inch) slices day-old or stale country loaf, brioche or challah (my choice) bread
• 4 tablespoons butter

Directions

In medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, honey, vanilla, zest/juice(optional) and salt. You may do this the night before. When ready to cook, pour custard mixture into a pie pan and set aside.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Dip bread into mixture, allow to soak for 30 seconds on each side, and then remove to a cooling rack that is sitting in a sheet pan, and allow to sit for 1 to 2 minutes.

Over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a 10-inch nonstick saute pan. Place 2 slices of bread at a time into the pan and cook until golden brown, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from pan and place on rack in oven for 5 minutes. Repeat with all 8 slices. Serve immediately with maple syrup, whipped cream or fruit.