Praline French Toast with Praline Sauce

Egg Wash
6 eggs
2 cups half-and-half
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier (optional)
16 slices (3/4-inch thick) French bread

Soak bread slices in wash approximately three minutes. Place soaked bread in a lightly oiled nonstick pan over medium heat. Cook 4-5 minutes. Turn bread and cook for 3-4 minutes. Bread should be semi-firm to the touch.

Praline Sauce
1/2 pound unsalted butter
1/2 pound confectioner' sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon bourbon
1 tablespoon strong coffee
1 egg
1 cup chopped pecans

In a medium saucepan melt butter until hot, but not boiling. Add confectioners' sugar and whisk briskly until ribbons form. Add vanilla extract, bourbon and coffee. Whisk to combine. Reduce heat to low and cook 3 minutes. Turn off heat and briskly whisk egg into mixture. Add pecans and transfer to serving dish.

Serves 4.