FRENCH TOAST SUZETTE

• 1 baguette or 12 slices store-bought bread
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• � cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp Grand Marnier
• 2 - 3 tbsp butter

Slice baguette no thicker than 1 inch. Arrange in a single layer in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Or divide bread slices between 2 9 x 13 baking dishes. In a medium size bowl, whisk milk with eggs, juice, sugar, salt, vanilla and Grand Marnier, if using. Pour mixture over bread. Turn bread over to evenly coat both sides. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour but preferably overnight. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350o. Heat 2 tsp. butter in a large non-stick frying pan set over medium heat. When butter is bubbly, add bread, 2 - 6 slices at a time, depending on which bread is used. Do not crowd pan. Cook until golden brown on both sides, from 2 - 3 minutes/ per side. Remove from pan, place in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in oven, uncovered, to keep warm. Repeat until all slices are browned, adding more butter for each batch. If you like your French toast crusty, continue to bake until crisp and brown around edges, from 5 to 8 min/ total. Dust with icing sugar, if you like, and serve with warm maple syrup and berries or a fruit compote.