At the grocery store the other day I was in dire need of some windshield washer fluid, and the only kind they had said it was ‘scented’.  I wasn’t really sure how much you would be able to smell something that’s sprayed on the outside of the car, but I figured it couldn’t hurt.  Much to my amazement, I could actually smell the scent of the fluid after I used it the first time.  It was sort of nice.

Fast forward to about a month later, with the family in the car on the way home from dinner.  After hearing many large insects splatting on my windshield (you know it’s spring in the South), and having just had my car washed that day, I suggested to the husband that he spray some cleaner on it.  This is the conversation that followed:

H: What is that smell?

Kid 1: Ewww, it smells like wipes and dirty socks.

H: It smells like dead skunk.

Kid 2: It smells like dog poo!

Kid 1: It’s like wet wipes mixed with stinky socks!

H: I can’t believe you bought windshield fluid that smells like dead skunk.

The scent had changed from the original fresh scent, but it wasn’t that bad.  But they were on a roll.  This happens at the dinner table sometimes, too.  One comment about the French Toast not being as ‘frenchy’ as usual, and off we go.

I made this recipe this weekend with some homemade brioche, and it was almost perfect, except I should have soaked the bread for at least 1-2 minutes before cooking it, instead of just dunking it in the egg mixture.  I had bought some brioche at the grocery store the last time and it soaked up the liquid so fast that I was afraid this bread would do the same, but apparently there is a difference in the texture of the bread.  So if you make this, and you should make it because it is fabulous, just be sure to test your bread to make sure it is soaking up enough liquid.

If you’re feeling ambitious and want to make some brioche yourself, I highly recommend the recipe from the cookbook Baking with Julia, based on the PBS series hosted by Julia Child.  It is full of basic step-by-step techniques for making breads, pastries, cookies and cakes and also great ideas for using them in other great recipes.  I have never been failed by a recipe.

Brioche French Toast

from Shortbread

serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 (10-12 ounce) loaf brioche, sliced 1 1/2 inches thick
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• butter for pan
• confectioner’s (powdered) sugar for dusting

Directions

1. Place large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
2. Break eggs into shallow dish and beat lightly.  Add milk, sugar and cinnamon and whisk to combine.  Place as many bread slices as will fit into dish with liquid and soak about 1-2 minutes, until soaked through.
3. Add enough butter to pan to coat (about 1/2 tablespoon).  When melted, lift bread from liquid and let drip for a few seconds.  Place in skillet and cook on one side until brown.  Turn over and cook on other side until brown and remove to warm plate.
4. Repeat with more butter, and the remaining bread.
5. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with syrup.

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