Orange and black pepper French toast

Culinary explorations has always been a passion. I'd make a pretty good wife one day, spoiling hubby with treats my grandparents and parents have taught me. #foodie

French toast is one of my faves. Had to jazz it up a tad. 

2 eggs

1.5 cups milk or cream

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract (I use bourbon vanilla)

1/2 tsp orange peel

Tiny sprinkling of Himalayan pink salt

1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper 

A whole loaf of Texas toast

2 tbsp butter for frying

Whisk together first 7 ingredients. Heat up griddle and melt butter. Dip bread lightly in mixture and fry two by two until golden brown on each side. Serve with more maple syrup, fruit, powdered sugar, extra butter, whatever tickles your fancy. I just used some extra butter and maple syrup.

Fresh Baked Rolls

Ok, so this isn't going to be like Julie and Julia, where i go through someone famous' recipes in one year. But i came across this brilliant recipe from Penzey's Spices catalogue. Cinnamon Rolls, thrice proofed. The lightest, most delectable, and (not to mention) easiest dough to work with. It most definitely beats the store-bought rolls; i suppose everything homemade does, since you know what the ingredients are and hydrogenated oil isn't on the label. I suppose most people don't realize that, since we're now in a time of conveniently wrapped meals and everything is already done, no fretting. I must be one of the rare old-school 20 year olds who prefers to make things from scratch than go to Chipotle's or Einstein's and waste wads of money on foods that have half a day's worth of calories in one sitting. Anyway, enough complaining, with these rolls i was able to diversify them and create three flavors: standard cinnamon rolls, cheese pizza rolls, and Provencal Lavender/citrus rolls! i think i really have a knack for this :) We'll see!