Ham And Cheese Stuffed French Toast With Warm Apricot Syrup

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 12 slices firm coarse textured bread (1 inch thick)
• 3 cups extra-rich milk
• 3 eggs, beaten to blend
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons brandy or 3 tablespoons bourbon
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1 teaspoon grated orange peel
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 12 slices sharp cheddar cheese, preferably (1 ounce each)
• 6 slices baked ham (2 ounces each)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil (or more)
• powdered sugar
• 1 (12 ounce) jar apricot preserves, larger pieces of fruit cut up
• 3 tablespoons brandy or 3 tablespoons bourbon
• 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Recipe

• 1 for french toast.
• 2 dry bread slices at room temperature on wire rack for 1 hour.
• 3 whisk next 9 ingredients (milk through nutmeg) in large bowl until smooth.
• 4 pour batter into 2 large rectangular baking dishes.
• 5 arrange 6 bread slices in each dish; let stand until batter is absorbed, at least 1 hour; do not turn bread over. (can be prepared 1 day ahead, covered and refrigerated.).
• 6 cut cheese and ham slices to fit bread.
• 7 set 6 cheese slices on 6 bread slices;top with ham; cover with remaining cheese.
• 8 using spatula, place remaining bread dry side down atop ham.
• 9 melt 2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons oil in each of 2 heavy skillets over medium heat.
• 10 place 3 sandwiches in each skillet and fry until outsides are crisp and golden brown and cheese has melted, adding more oil if necessary, about 5 minutes per side.
• 11 transfer to platter and dust with powdered sugar. serve immediately with warm syrup.
• 12 for warm apricot syrup:.
• 13 cook all ingredients in heavy small saucepan over low heat until preserves are melted and flavors blended, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.