Good morning everyone!
The brioche came out really well yesterday. Then I used the homemade brioche for Brioche French Toast. OH MY GOODNESS it was to die for! I think I liked it more than the Banana Sour Cream Pancakes. The recipes are Ina Garten recipes of course.

I really recommend making the brioche for the brioche french toast but Ina says you can use brioche or challah. I was surprised at how easy making brioche actually is.
I'd been a vegetarian for over a year and now I'm trying to eat some meat again. I have been craving it like crazy (and having dreams about meat!

) and I caved yesterday and ate some maple-roasted bacon! Man it was good! I can't believe that's what I've been missing.
For dinner tonight, I'm making all Ina Garten recipes. I always do.
Parmesan chicken, macaroni and cheese with tomatoes and string beans with shallots. If it turns out as good as the pictures look, I'll post the recipes.
Have a great day everyone and here are some recipes.
Brioche Loaves
makes 2 loaves.
1/2 cup warm water (110 to 120 degrees)
1 package dried yeast
3 tablespoons sugar
6 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
4 1/2 cups unbleached flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash
Combine the water, yeast, and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitter with the paddle attachment. (If the bowl is cold, start with the warmer water so it's at least 110 degrees when you add the yeast.) Mix with your hands and allow to stand for 5 minutes until the yeast and sugar dissolve. Add the eggs and beat on medium speed for 1 minute, until well mixed. With the mixer on low speed, add 2 cups of the flour and the salt and mix for 5 minutes. With the mixer still on low, add 2 more cups of flour and mix for 5 more minutes. Still on low speed, add the soft butter in chunks and mix for 2 minutes, scraping down the beater, until well blended. With the mixer still running, sprinkle in the remaining 1/4 cup of flour. Switch the paddle attachment to a dough hook and mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Scrape the dough into a large buttered bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.
The next day, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Grease two 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2 inch loaf pans. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and cut in half. Pat each portion into a 6 by 8 inch rectangle, then roll up each rectangle into a cylinder loaf. Place each loaf, seam side down, into a greased pan. Cover the pans with a damp towel and set aside to rise at room temperature until doubled in volume, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Preheat the oven at 375 degrees. When the loaves have risen, brush the top of each with the egg wash and bake for 45 minutes or until the top springs back and it sounds slightly hollow when tapped. Turn the loaves out onto a wire rack to cool.
Brioche French Toast
Ina says you can use either brioche or challah. Here recipe is called Challah French Toast but I made it with brioche so I'm calling it Brioche French Toast.
makes 8 large slices
6 extra-large eggs
1 1/2 cups half and half or milk
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon good honey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
l large loaf of challah or brioche bread
unsalted butter
To serve:
pure maple syrup
good raspberry preserves (optional)
sifted confectioners' sugar (optional)
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, orange zest, vanilla, honey and salt. Slice the challah or brioche in 3/4 inch thick slices. Soak as many slices in the egg mixture as possible for 5 minutes, turning once.
Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a very large saute pan over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Place the cooked French toast on a sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven. Fry the remaining soaked bread slices, adding butter and oil as needed, until it's all cooked. Serve hot with maple syrup, raspberry preserves, and/or confectioners' sugar.