Torrijas

Ingredients:

• 4 Cups Whole milk
• 1 Stick Cinnamon
• 1 Medium Orange (peeled into strips with a vegetable peeler)
• 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
• 1 loaf Spanish bread, baguette, French, or challah bread
• 5 Eggs
• 1/4 Cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 2/3 Cup Granulated sugar
• Honey (optional)

Directions:

1. Add milk, cinnamon stick, 4-5 orange peel strips, and salt to a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until hot and steaming, stirring occasionally, then remove to cool slightly.
2. Pour into a saucepan to finish cooling and soak.
3. Cut bread into one-inch-thick slices. If the bread is not stale, bake it at 250 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes, turning halfway, until almost dry.
4. Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl.
5. In batches, soak bread slices in milk until saturated (about 1 minute per side), then transfer to a plate or baking sheet.
6. Coat a large skillet with olive oil and heat over medium heat until shimmering. Dip the bread slices into the eggs on both sides, then fry until golden brown (about 1-2 minutes per side).
7. Once golden, transfer to a paper towel.
8. Add the sugar to a wide, shallow bowl and coat the bread slices with sugar on both sides. Then drizzle with honey. Enjoy!

*Variation: Bread can also be soaked in sweet red wine or sangria, then dipped in eggs and fried in extra virgin olive oil. This version is particularly popular during Holy Week.