Martha's Perfect French Toast

From Martha Stewart. That woman sure knows how to make a delicious french toast! I have changed her recipe to omit some unneeded calories and fat. It is the best french toast our family has ever had, and our guests all agreed! I make this on a Sunday morning if we still have extra challah left over.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 6 slices

Ingredients

• 6  large eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 1  orange, juice of
• 2  tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 2  tablespoons  liquor (I use almond or orange flavored, Martha's recipe states cognac)
• 1  tablespoon sugar (splenda works equally well)
• 1  lemon, zest of
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1  pinch ground nutmeg
• 1  pinch salt
• 6  slices  bread, 1-2 days old (1 inch pieces, challah or brioche are best)
•  canola oil, for frying (any neutral oil will do, may add unsalted butter for more flavor)

• Optional

•  powdered sugar
•  maple syrup
•  mixed berry

Directions

1. Whisk together eggs, milk, juice, vanilla, liquor, sugar, zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
2. Place bread in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold bread slices in a single layer.
3. Pour egg mixture over bread; soak 10 minutes.
4. Turn slices over (Carefully) and soak 5-10minutes more, until soaked through.
5. Preheat oven to 200 deg F. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet, and set aside.
6. Heat canola oil (with some butter if so wish) in a skillet over medium heat.
7. Fry half the bread slices until golden brown, around 3 minutes per side.
8. Transfer to wire rack; place in oven while cooking remaining bread.
9. Wipe skillet and repeat with fresh oil/butter and bread.
10. Keep in oven until ready to serve.
11. Serve with dusted powdered sugar and maple syrup (I like fresh berries on top, too).