Sweet Italian Christmas bread (if you have any leftover!) gets the French toast treatment and is served with spiced sausage patties.
For sausage, in a small ramekin, dissolve the baking soda and water. Place pork in a bowl, add vermouth or vinegar, baking soda slurry, sprinkle flour over the meat, then paprika, add garlic, salt, pepper, sage, onion, red pepper, fennel, oregano, sugar and EVOO. Form 8 small, 3-inch wide, thin patties and cook in cast-iron or nonstick skillet 3 minutes on each side.
For French toast, whisk up half-and-half or cream and eggs, then add sugar and almond and vanilla extract. Whisk in nutmeg.
Heat a griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Melt butter in pan or microwave. Dip 3-4 slices of bread in custard mixture at a time. Butter the griddle and cook toast slowly to deeply golden brown. Warm the honey or syrup. Brush cooked toast with extra butter and top with honey or syrup. Garnish (optional) with nuts and rosemary and zest. Serve sausage patties alongside.