Tanya has been known to write recipes on napkins, receipts, and blank book pages but has stopped short of tattooing her favorites on her derriere.

“Can I Make You Breakfast Sometime?”

Clichéd pick-up lines aside, there are few things more sinfully delicious than enjoying breakfast or brunch with your sweetie pie after spending a night together. To maximize the romance factor, slip out of bed while he or she is still off in the Land of Nod, and make your way to the kitchen.

First things first: you deserve some pampering for your early-morning duty, so make yourself some coffee or tea. Or consider making a mimosa, which you’ll do later anyway because it’s on the breakfast-in-bed menu. Not to worry — this recipe is so easy you could probably throw it together in your sleep. Grab a wine glass or champagne flute and fill it with some ice cold orange juice. Then add a splash of Champagne, Prosecco, or other sparkling wine and voila! you have a refreshing, revitalizing mimosa to see you through this kitchen experience.

Now roll up those sleeves (if you’re wearing any) and get set to create a delicious surprise for your one-and-only. If you want to be really organized, prepare the recipe one day ahead and stash it in the refrigerator where your loved one won’t find it.

The French Do It Better

French toast is best made with bread that is at least two days old. If the bread is fresh, it will soak up too much of the batter and fall apart. In French, this way of preparing toasted bread is called pain perdu, or “lost bread” because it would otherwise be tossed out (or “lost”).

Although the following recipe calls for French or Italian bread, get creative and try whatever you have on hand, including challah, croissants, and even savory loaves. One of the best things about French toast is it can be an impromptu, quick, frugal, and yet delicious and satisfying meal (say, for a lazy Sunday) or an elegant, extravagant affair (say, for a special anniversary, to spoil someone you’d like to keep around for many a lazy Sunday, or just because).

French toast is incredibly easy and quick to prepare. If you’re making the recipe the morning of, plan to be back in bed in 20 minutes; if you prepare the egg mixture and soak the bread ahead of time, you may be enjoying the fruits of your labors in 10 minutes. French toast can also be dressed up with all kinds of fixings, or left more or less…well, naked. Delectable topping choices include whipped cream, chopped nuts, fresh strawberries and blueberries, maple syrup, lemon juice and powdered sugar, and warm honey.

When the toast is ready to serve, pour your lover a mimosa and refill your own if necessary. Then head back to the bedroom with the (and maybe for more) booty. Let the bed be your table. Now that says “I love you”!

Disclaimer: Be prepared for any consequences that may ensue from your relatively pain-free declaration of love. It is likely to top off the fuel reserves while adding fuel to the fire. At the very least, you’ll have earned yourself a few extra cuddles and kisses.

This recipe makes enough for two servings.

Grand Marnier French Toast

• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup half and half1/2 cup whole or 2% milk
• 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
• dash cinnamon
• 4 thick French or Italian bread slices, ideally at least two days old
• 2 tablespoons sweet butter

Place baking sheet in oven and preheat to 350°F. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 bread slices to skillet and sauté until cooked through and brown, about 3 minutes per side. Place on baking sheet in oven to keep warm. Repeat cooking with remaining tablespoon butter and 2 bread slices. Plate and serve.

Mimosas are one of the most stylish yet embarrassingly simple breakfast or brunch drinks around. Simply mix orange juice with champagne, sparkling wine, or Prosecco, to taste.

If you don’t have any bubbly on hand, plain old OJ is a perfectly fine complement to the Grand Marnier French Toast. Champagne flutes optional. Enjoy!