French Toast

1 large egg
1/3 c. whole milk
1/2 tsp. pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. grated orange zest
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
Pinch of ground cinnamon
4 slices bread
2 tsp. unsalted butter

***Serves two*** (we quadruple the recipe and use almost a full loaf of bread)

In a shallow pan, combine egg, milk, syrup, vanilla, orange zest, salt & cinnamon and beat lightly with fork. Place bread in batter and poke holes in it with a fork to help it to absorb the liquid. Flip to other side.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over moderately high heat. Add 1 tsp. butter and tilt to coat pan. (I use olive oil spray) When the butter stops sizzling and is fragrant, arrange bread in pan. After underside is cooked, after 2-3 minutes, turn over with spatula, adding more butter to pan as you lift each one to flip.

Serve at once. Ideas to top with: syrup, powdered sugar & lemon, crushed fresh raspberries, whipped cream & strawberries.

Submitted by MacKenzie:The key to great French toast is exceptional bread, whether peasant bread, sourdough, or a good homemade sandwich loaf. The texture of the bread affects the outcome: Course peasant bread needs time to soak up the mixture and will produce a toast that is appealingly chewy and robust. A softer bread will soak up the custard quickly and make a more traditional French toast with creamy center.

We like to eat this with flat turkey sausage, (yummy) and smoothies with flax seed and spinach added to it to get some more nutrients & vitamins. :) (And to cross cancel the sausage...right)???