Pain Perdu with Blueberries and Orange

• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons orange zest (from about 1/2 medium orange)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 (1/2-inch thick) slices whole grain bread or country white bread, preferably 1 day old
• 1 medium orange
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur or fresh orange juice
• 2 star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup (about 6 ounces) fresh blueberries
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

1. For the toast: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, orange zest, and cinnamon together until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch casserole.
3. Add the bread slices in a single layer.
4. Let the bread soak for 10 minutes, turning once.
5. For the syrup: Peel the orange and remove the white pith.
6. Using a paring knife, cut along the membrane on both sides of each segment.
7. Free the segments and place in a small saucepan.
8. Add the sugar, water, orange liqueur or orange juice, if using, star anise, and cinnamon stick.
9. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved.
10. Simmer for 5 minutes.
11. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes.
12. Remove the star anise pods and cinnamon stick and discard.
13. Preheat a griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and add the butter.
14. Using a spatula, remove the bread slices from the egg mixture, allowing any excess liquid to drain.
15. Cook until golden, about 3 minutes each side.
16. Place on 4 serving plates and drizzle with the orange syrup and orange segments.
17. In a small bowl, toss the blueberries and mint together and spoon on top of the French toast.
18. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.

eggs, milk, orange zest, ground cinnamon, grain bread, orange, sugar, water, orange liqueur, anise pods, cinnamon, unsalted butter, fresh blueberries, mint leaves, powdered sugar

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pain-perdu-with-blueberries-and-orange-recipe.html (may not work)