French Toast Sardy

• Recipe by Sardy House

Aspen's rigorous mountain hikes demand a filling breakfast, such as their secret-ingredient French toast or an easily prepared frittata.
The sweet creamy flavor of vanilla ice cream enriches this Sardy House breakfast specialty.

Ingredients

1. 1 medium French baguette, ends discarded, cut diagonally into twenty-four 3/4-inch-thick slices
2. 4 large eggs
3. 1/2 cup premium vanilla ice cream, softened
4. 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
5. 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
6. 1 tablespoon cinnamon
7. Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
8. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
9. Pure maple syrup, for serving
10. Assorted fresh berries, halved if large, for serving

Directions

1. In a large nonreactive baking dish, spread out half of the bread slices. In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, ice cream, orange juice, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg and pour over the bread. Turn the slices and soak until saturated, about 5 minutes.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large cast-iron skillet. Add the soaked bread slices and cook in a single layer over moderately low heat, turning once, until golden brown and heated through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter and keep warm. Soak the remaining bread and cook in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Serve with maple syrup and fresh berries. 
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