There's pannetone and then there's pannetone LOL. We went to Boston at the end of November and stayed in the North End (swoon...Little Italy). One of the outings we took was a culinary walking tour (Michelle Topor) which included stopping at a salumeria, bakery, coffee purveyor, liquor store and produce market. At one of the stops we were introduced to an imported pannetone that cost a small fortune, but mama mia! Heaven! Although I admit my pannetone is excellent, it wasn't as good as this one. I think the difference is in the raisins. I use golden raisins because that's what is readily available. "Authentic" pannetone uses sultanas, which are raisins that are the product of the Sultana grape, which grows in Turkey. The package was small and cost around $23.00. (She who is on the hunt for sultanas...I will make a pannetone to rival the one in Boston)

Once people have French toast made with challa, they never make it with anything again. I also use leftovers for sandwiches, and then if any gets stale, I put it in the blender or FP and make breadcrumbs (check out the saturated fat and preservative content in commercial breadcrumbs, and you'll never buy them again). I put the crumbs in a plastic container in the freezer and just use them frozen. I can't imagine being without them!

I like french toast more savory than sweet so I never add sugar or cinnamon to mine. Definitely eggy, I use a couple of eggs and maybe a tablespoon of milk. I like butter and black pepper on it, no syrup or fruit. I use my own homemade bread, any kind that I've made, and I like it best if the bread is slightly stale. My girls, however, like it sweet enough to cause a coma. Their favorite is the eggy mixture that I use, but they like sugar, cinnamon and vanilla added and their favorite bread is cinnamon rolls, sliced crossways and dipped, then fried in butter and served with lots of Grade B Maple. A local restaurant serves french toast made of cinnamon rolls and then topped with ice cream. For breakfast! Annie

I love rye bread with cheese melted on top. If I could have a white bread sandwich I would have a grilled cheese with onion tomato and mayonnaise. I just love.the creamy mayonnaisey melty cheese flavour. I won't even spoil it for myself while I'm fantasizing about it by saying that I can't eat the white bread or mayonnaise... Sigh... my taste buds even remember the first time I had a grilled cheese with mayonnaise.