STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM FRENCH TOAST

STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM FRENCH TOAST image

Yield 6 people

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

For the French toast:
4 large or extra-large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
12 slices challah, Portuguese sweet bread, or other rich egg bread, cut into 1-inch slices
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, more if needed
For the filling:
6 ounces regular cream cheese (not whipped, low-fat, or nonfat), at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Finely grated zest of 1 large orange
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur or brandy, or 3 tablespoon orange juice
For the strawberry sauce:
10 ounces frozen strawberries in syrup, defrosted and pureed in a blender or food processor until smooth

Steps:

To make the French toast: Add the eggs, milk, and vanilla to a pie pan or shallow bowl and whisk to combine. Use a falt metal spatula to dip the slices of bread, first one side and then the other, quickly in the mixture just to moisten them but not long enough for them to fall apart. Place each of the slices on the foil-lined baking sheet as you dip them. Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet set over moderate heat. When the butter sizzles, add the slices of bread, several at a time, and cook until the undersides are golden brown. Flip the bread and cook on the other side until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining butter and bread slices, removing them to the baking sheet as they finish cooking. Make the filling by whisking together the softened cream cheese, sugar, orange zest, and liqueur or orange juice in a small mixing bowl until smooth. Place approximately 2 tablespoons of the filling on each of 6 slices of bread, spreading it slightly but not to the edges with the back of a spoon. Top each slice with a second slice and press down with your hand or a metal spatula to seal them together. If you will be serving the French toast later, wrap the baking sheet airtight in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Allow the bread to come to room temperature before placing the baking sheet in the oven. To bake the French toast: Have the oven preheated to 400. Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for 15 50 20 minutes, or just until the insides are hot. You can tell this by inserting the tip of a small, sharp knife into a "sandwich" and then feeling it to see whether it's hot. Serve the "sandwiches" on heated plates with a generous drizzle of strawberry sauce.