Chocolate French Toast With Citrus Custard

• For the Custard
• 1-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, organic if desired
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice (from one large navel orange), strained
• 3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed Meyer lemon juice, (from one Meyer lemon), strained
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, strained
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoons grated Meyer lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon good-quality orange extract
• 2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
• For the Toast
• 1 day-old loaf braided egg challah (about a 20-oz. loaf)
• 3/4 - 1/2 ounces good-quality bittersweet chocolate (milk chocolate is good too). I use Sharffen-Berger
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup milk (anything from 1% to whole is fine)
• 2 tablespoons cream (light, half-and-half, or heavy)
• 2 teaspoons fine-quality orange extract
• 1-1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar, (optional), organic if desired
• 1 dash fine sea salt
• unsalted butter for sauteeing the toast
• warm maple syrup as an accompaniment, if desired

1. In the top part of a double-boiler, combine the cornstarch, sugar and salt. Mix thoroughly, scraping the bottom, to break up the clumps of cornstarch. The dry ingredients should be thoroughly combined.
2. Slowly add the juices, and zest, stirring gently until combined.
3. Fill the base of the double-boiler with a couple of inches of hot water--not too much-- and bring to a simmer. Insert top of double-boiler onto the base. Add the tablespoon of butter. The water should not touch the top part or the sauce will scorch. Place over medium-low flame and cook, stirring constantly, adjusting flame to low as necessary, about five minutes. Mixture will be slightly thickened. If you can't tell the difference, carry on with the rest of the recipe anyway: cover, reduce heat to low, and cook undisturbed 10 minutes longer.
4. Remove the double-boiler from the flame and remove the cover. Stir to combine the mixture so that it is uniform (some may have thickened against the bottom of the pan--that's o.k.). Carefully separate the parts of the double-boiler, leaving the water in the lower pan. Allow the top pan to cool slightly, about 30-45 seconds,stirring. Add the orange extract, stir, then slowly pour in the eggs while stirring rapidly.
5. Re-assemble the double-boiler and place it on a medium-low flame. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2-3 minutes longer. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Stir before serving.
6. Slice challah into thick (1" to 1-1/2") slices and cut slices in half from braided top edge to flat bottom edge. Put end-pieces aside for another use if desired.
7. Insert the blade of a long, thin, sharp knife into the center of the narrow cut edge to pierce a slit suitable for inserting a small piece of chocolate. Be careful not to break through the surface of the bread. Jiggle the point slightly to enlarge the slit.
8. Chop or break chocolate into 1/2 to 1" dice; triangle shapes work well for inserting. Insert one piece of chocolate into the slit of each slice of challah and pinch the opening slightly to seal.
9. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until foamy. Add milk, cream, orange extract, sugar, if using, and salt, and beat until thoroughly combined.
10. Pour one-half of egg mixture into the bottom of an 11" x 15" Pyrex pan. Add the challah slices in one layer and allow to absorb some of the egg mixture, then flip them over to absorb more. Pour remaining egg mixture evenly over challah slices. Let rest about 10 minutes. (This might be a good time to get some coffee going).
11. Heat a large saute pan over medium heat. When hot, drop in about a tablespoon of unsalted butter.
12. When butter foams, swirl it in the pan to distribute, then place the pieces of challah in one layer in the bottom of the pan. Do not crowd; you may have to cook in batches, depending on size of your pan. Cook about 5 minutes, more or less, until nicely browned, then flip to brown the other side. The second side will cook more quickly. If desired, you can keep the first batch warm, loosely covered with foil, in a rimmed baking sheet in a 150u0b0 to 200u0b0 oven while you prepare the rest.
13. Continue until all challah is cooked. Serve hot with citrus custard and/or warmed maple syrup.

custard, cornstarch, sugar, salt, freshlysqueezed orange juice, freshlysqueezed meyer, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, unsalted butter, egg yolks, egg, bittersweet chocolate, eggs, milk, cream, finequality, sugar, salt, syrup

Taken from food52.com/recipes/15690-chocolate-french-toast-with-citrus-custard (may not work)