Pain Perdu

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 2 tablespoons brandy or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 slices bread, crust removed
• 5 eggs, separated
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, divided
• 2 tablespoons lard, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

1. Bring milk to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar and brandy.
2. Place bread slices in a single layer in a 15- x 10- x 1-inch jellyroll pan. Pour milk mixture over bread, and let stand 10 minutes. Drain off excess milk.
3. Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and lemon rind, beating well. Beat egg whites (at room temperature) until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold into egg yolk mixture. Spread egg mixture evenly over bread; let stand 30 minutes.
4. Melt 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon lard in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lift bread slices, one at a time, with a spatula, and place in hot butter mixture. Cook 2 to 3 at a time until golden brown, turning once. Remove to a platter, and keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining bread slices, adding butter and lard as needed.
5. Combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over bread slices. Serve warm.