Créme Anglaise French Toast

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 vanilla bean, caviar scraped (or 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract) 
• 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 large egg yolks, room temperature 
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 loaf of challah or brioche bread, cut into 1/2-inch slices

Instructions

1. 1
   Prepare a bowl with a sieve. 
2. 2
   To a medium saucepan, add the milk, vanilla bean caviar or vanilla extract, sugar and salt; heat over medium until the milk reaches a slight simmer and the sugar dissolves. Once it reaches a simmer, remove the pan from the heat.
3. 3
   In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks together, thoroughly. Next you're going to temper the milk mixture. Whisking the entire time, add about 1/4 cup of warm milk to the egg yolks. Add the remainder of the milk to the egg yolk mixture and whisk. Return the entire mixture back to the medium saucepan and place over low heat. Cook the milk and yolk mixture, stirring constantly, until a thermometer reads 170 to 175 degrees F and the mixture appears thick and coats the back of a spoon. 
4. 4
   Pour the mixture through the sieve into the bowl; stir in the heavy cream and cinnamon. 
5. 5
   Preheat your oven to 200 degree F. 
6. 6
   Next, preheat your griddle or frying pan over medium heat. When warm, brush with a teaspoon of vegetable oil or even better, a 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Dip a slice or two of challah bread into the egg mixture, allowing the bread to soak up some of the mixture, about 1 minute per side. Transfer the slice to the griddle, frying on both sides for a minute or so. Place the cooked slices of French toast on a baking sheet and transfer to the oven to keep warm while you cook up the remainder of the French toast. Repeat process until you've dipped and cooked all of the French toast.