Italian French Toast

It isn't officially the Holidays until we have a loaf of Panettone bread sitting in our kitchen.  And a few days ago, my mom and I picked some up at our favorite Italian Deli, Claro's, which I used to call when I was little, "The Smelly-Good Store", because I could never remember the name.  And it really is the best smelling store you will ever visit.  As soon as you open its door, you get a huge whiff of anise, garlic, homemade marinara sauce and cookies!  *Sigh*  I wish my house could smell like this all the time!  Well, as we're paying for the bread, the cashier gal mentions to us that Panettone makes the best French Toast.  I couldn't believe what I was hearing... why had I never thought of this before?  So, for brunch my mom and I decided to give it a try!  And, boy, was that a delicious decision we made... rich, sweet, and crispy on the edges but soft in the middle.  And the best part... the warm bites of fruit that are nestled in the bread.  A perfect meal for the holidays!  Just one thing missing... our beautiful Italian Grandma Madalene.

What you'll need: 2 servings

2 eggs

1/3 cup of milk

pinch of cinnamon

pinch of nutmeg

1 tsp of vanilla

2 tbsp of Grand Marnier

4 slices of Panettone bread

Mix all the ingredients together in a pie dish, dip the bread into the mixture quickly (to avoid sogginess) and cook 'em up in a oiled filled pan (1/2 inch deep of oil) on medium heat.  Flip them over when they're brown.  When they're brown on the other side, you'll all done.  Easy-peasy.

We like to pretend we're cooking on the streets of Italy...