Pain Perdu - Lost Bread, a.k.a. French Toast

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in a splash of water
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 8 slices stale white bread or 6 slices thick cut stale bread
• Butter, for griddle pan
• Warm maple syrup, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar and/or fresh berries for topping
• Three Berry Compote, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat nonstick griddle or skillet over medium heat. Beat eggs very well, add sugar and beat again. Add cornstarch in water and beat that in, then add milk and nutmeg. Coat bread thoroughly in egg-milk mixture. Lightly butter hot pan with butter nested in paper towels. Add bread to the pan and cook slowly, 3 or 4 minutes on each side, 2 to 3 slices at a time. Serve hot with your favorite toppings or Three Berry Compote

Three Berry Compote:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 pint strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup raspberries
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey

Combine sugar, lemon and water in a small sauce pot. Over moderate heat, dissolve sugar into water. Stir in fruit, coating it in sugar water and bring the fruit and water to a bubble. Reduce heat and simmer 7 or 8 minutes. Remove fruit with a slotted spoon to a serving dish and add maple syrup or honey to the pan. Thicken syrup 5 minutes and pour over fruit. Serve with French toast, pancakes or waffles.