Perfect French Toast

This was on the Martha Stewart Show and is just awesome!

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 6  large eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 1  medium orange, juice of
• 2  tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 2  tablespoons cognac (optional)
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1  lemon, zest of
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1  pinch  of freshly ground nutmeg
• 1  pinch salt
• 6  slices  bread, 1-inch-thick, such as brioche, preferably day-old
• 4  tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4  tablespoons  vegetable oil
•  pure maple syrup (optional)

Directions

1. Whisk together eggs, milk, juice, vanilla, cognac, sugar, zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
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. Turn slices over; soak 10 minutes more or until soaked through.
4. Preheat oven to 200°.
5. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet, and set aside.
6. Heat 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry half the bread slices until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
7. Transfer to wire rack; place in oven while cooking remaining bread.
8. Wipe skillet, and repeat with remaining butter, oil, and bread.
9. Keep in oven until ready to serve.
10. Serve warm with maple syrup, if desired.