Labor Day weekend is here, with an opportunity to spend Monday sleeping late for a change. What better way to celebrate than with a special breakfast—served at noon? This would also be a great breakfast to prepare for your sweetie, served in bed and garnished with a kiss.

While I never encountered French toast in France, it is traditionally made with French bread. Perhaps that’s where the name comes from.

As with so many delicious recipes, this is really not very good for you. But hey, you’re not making a habit of it, are you?

Amazing Orange French Toast
Adapted from Morning Food, from the Cafe Beaujolais* in Mendocino, California

1 baguette, sliced into 1 inch slices
4 eggs
1½ C milk
¼ C orange juice
¼ C sugar or substitute
1 Tbsp. vanilla
Pinch salt
Butter for sautéing

Set the slices of baguette into a shallow pan. Whisk together all other ingredients and pour them over the bread. Coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Heat butter until foaming. Add bread and sauté over low-to-medium heat, turning when golden brown. (Serve custardy inside, or microwave 1 minute to dry and completely cook insides.) Serve with warmed maple syrup, orange butter sauce, or fresh fruit.

Orange Butter Sauce
1 C orange juice
½ C brown sugar or substitute
4 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. grated orange rind.

Combine everything in a small saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes. If you cook it longer, it becomes more syrupy.
___

* This used to be an incredibly good restaurant, known far and wide. The original owners have since sold the place and moved to France. I have no idea what the food is like now.