Wake Him With a French Kiss

It's your first weekend sleepover.  He's rented a romantic bungalow along the eastern shore.  You're taking your relationship to the next level and your self-imposed expectations are high.  He's still sleeping in the next room.  Tender memories of the night before enter your mind; a curl from your lips meet your cheek bone and you think, "How do I wake him just as sweetly as I put him to bed?"

You want him to appreciate you; see that you too have put a lot of thought into this weekend.  Your grandmother said that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and if this is true, you want your breakfast to tell him he is adored.

I find that French Toast is a perfect first breakfast.  It's sweet and sticky and the aroma of toasted bread and syrup will give your man an enthusiastic rise.  It's  simple to make and easy to dress up with your own personal touches.  It's also nice to taste  the sweetness from the syrup and the saltiness of the butter on his lips when he kisses you after his first bite. 

I like to make mine with a loaf of challah bread, generously sliced and dipped into an egg and vanilla bean mixture.  I top with fresh berries, a dash of cinnamon, confectioners sugar and toasted coconut.    It's a bit indulgent on the toppings, but he's worth it, after all.

Serve with a warm maple syrup and drizzle melted butter atop.  Be prepared for lots and lots of sweet kissing.

Recipe:

1 Loaf of Challah Bread

3 - 4 Eggs

1/4 - 1/2 Cup Half & Half

1 Tsp Vanilla (I like to use fresh vanilla bean paste)

1/2 Tsp Cinnamon

Pinch of Salt

Butter

Maple Syrup

Toasted Coconut

Confectioners Sugar

Slice bread into six healthy slices.  Whisk together eggs with cream, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a pie pan.  Heat skillet.  Dip bread on both sides into mixture, ensuring each side is completely covered.  Melt about a tablespoon of butter in skillet and cook in skillet until nice and toasty on both sides, (about 2-3 minutes).  Dust with confectioner's sugar and top with fresh berries and coconut.  Melt butter in skillet until light brown then drizzle over your French Toast.  Serve with warm maple syrup.