Crunchy French Toast Sandwiches

Photo: Patricia Conte

Ingredients

8 slices Ciabatta bread

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

6 ounces mascarpone cheese

3 ounces your favorite jam or orange marmalade

3 ounces finely chopped almonds

Syrup or butter for topping

Preparation

Place the mascarpone cheese in a small bowl and set aside.

To make the sandwiches, spread half the bread slices (on one side only) with the mascarpone and half with the jam or marmalade. Sandwich the slices together and set aside.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or a baking mat.

In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs, milk and vanilla. In a different shallow bowl, add the chopped almonds.

Dip both sides of the sandwiches (and ensure the crusts are dipped, too) in the egg mixture and let the excess drip off. Then, coat both sides of the sandwich into the chopped almonds. Add more almonds as needed.

Place the coated sandwiches onto your baking sheet and freeze for about 3 hours. When the sandwiches are firm, preheat your oven to 370 degrees F.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden, turning once. Make sure each sandwich is heated through.