Rolls and other bready dishes

Happy third of July, and a very merry birthday to our Pop, who, if my ciphering is correct, is 64 today! Here, finally, is the video of Julia that I promised earlier in the week. I caught the tail end of a roll. She is starting to act like a little person these days, and is so much fun. We all love her so!



I've been doing some good cooking this week, so I thought I'd share recipes today. First, chicken panzanella from Cooking Light. The boys ate plain chicken with cucumbers from the garden and Scott and I enjoyed the whole shebang. I stopped at a local bakery for ciabatta and they had none as the owner was training a new baker and was behind on his loaves, so I used wheat baguette instead. It got a bit soggy by day two, but I imagine the same would have happened with the ciabatta.

I'm using most of the rest of the leftover baguette for Pain Perdu -- this recipe from Screen Doors and Sweet Tea, which I purchased during our trip to Oxford. Here 'tis. It's easy, and I can tell you how it tastes tomorrow. The only challenge is finding room in the Fridge for it amid all our garden bounty!

2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup cane syrup or maple syrup
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
10 (1-inch thick) slices French bread
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk (I used 1 cup skim and 1/2 cup half & half)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

Spray 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a med. saucepan, combine the brown sugar, syrup and butter. Bring to a boil over med heat, stirring constantly for one minute.

Pour the syrup evenly over the bottom of the prepared dish. Arrange the bread slices in the dish on top of the syrup mixture. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and salt. Pour the mixture over the bread slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Uncover the dish and bake for 30 minutes, or until the French toast is lightly browned and slightly puffed. Serve hot.

Baby girl calleth, so I'm out. We're low on plans this Fourth since Scott is on call, but I need to do a couple of runs. Hope you have a great one!

Happy day.