Panettone -- It's Not Just For Tea

We're not Italian.    There's not an ounce of Italian in our blood.    But we love panettone.    For years, we've bought at least one at Christmastime.       

It's a good tea bread and it's great toasted for breakfast especially with scrambled eggs.  

And it also makes for a lazy Sunday breakfast -- French toasted!

We like our French toast sprinkled with granulated sugar.    No powdered sugar or syrup for us.  

We're using our Christmas china -- as we do for every meal all during December.    It makes the month seem more festive and special.

PANETTONE FRENCH TOAST

1/2 purchased panettone

3 eggs

1 cup milk

Grated zest of 1 orange

1/2 c. fresh orange juice

1 T. Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)

3 T. sugar

1/4 t. cinnamon

Freshly grated nutmeg to taste

Cut the panettone into 5 or 6 vertical slices, each 1inch thick.    Discard the end slices.    Cut the remaining slices in half.

In a bowl, whisk the eggs until just blended, then whisk in the milk, orange zest, orange juice, Cointreau, granulated sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.    Pour the egg mixture into a pie pan and add the bread slices.   Soak, turning once, about 10 seconds per side.

Heat griddle or skillet on medium heat and brush with butter.    When the butter foams, add a few of the bread slices (do not overcrowd).   Cook, turning once, until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side.    Turn the slices over again and cook for a few minutes more per side until browned to your taste.

Using a slotted metal spatula, transfer the French toast to serving plates, place them in the oven and turn the oven to 200.    Repeat to cook the remaining bread slices.

And as it is good for breakfast -- French toasted -- so it is good for afternoon tea.

Sliced with a nice orange butter to slather on.    

Friend Shirley Ann came over and we lunched and shopped and then ended at Linderhof with a pot of tea (Harney's Hot Cinnamon) and the panettone and orange butter.

We've never attempted to make panettone.    It's too easy to buy!

It's Tuesday and I'm joining the Tuesday Tea Parties:

Tea Time Tuesday with Terri at Artful Affirmations

Tea Cup Tuesday with Martha at Martha's Favorites

Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday with Pam at Breath of Fresh Air

Tea Time Tuesday with Katherine at Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor

Tuesday Tea for Two with Wanda Lee at The Plumed Pen

Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage