French Toast for a Queen

RECIPE

Yield
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
3/4 cup nonfat milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Cooking oil spray
8 slices sweet French or challah bread, about 1 inch thick (8 to 12 oz. total)
Powdered sugar
Maple syrup
Orange wedges

Preparation
1. In a shallow bowl, whisk to blend eggs, egg whites, milk, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

2. Lightly mist a 10- by 15-inch nonstick pan with cooking oil spray.

3. Soak bread thoroughly on each side, a few pieces at a time, in egg mixture.

4. Place slices slightly apart in a single layer in baking pan.

5. Bake in a 500° oven until toast is golden on bottom, about 5 minutes. With a wide spatula, turn slices over and bake until other side is browned, about 3 to 4 minutes longer. Transfer hot French toast to plates.

6. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, drizzle with maple syrup, and serve with orange wedges, squeezing juice onto toast.

Nutritional Information
Calories:237 (17% from fat)
Protein:11g
Fat:4.6g (sat 1.2)
Carbohydrate:35g
Fiber:1.5g
Sodium:428mg
Cholesterol:107mg

French cooking@home
by cooking mania

French-Style Stuffed Eggs

RECIPE

If you plan to dye Easter eggs, cook extras for this dish. Stuffed eggs are often served warm in France, and this recipe is similar to one from the Périgord region.

Yield
16 servings (serving size: 1 egg half)

Ingredients
8 large eggs
1/3 cup minced reduced-fat ham
1 tablespoon minced green onions
1 tablespoon minced parsley
1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise
1 teaspoon mustard
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 (1-ounce) slices white bread, torn into large pieces
Cooking spray
Fresh thyme leaves (optional)

Preparation
Place eggs in a large saucepan. Cover with water to 1 inch above eggs; bring just to a boil. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 12 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold running water until cool.

Peel eggs; slice in half lengthwise. Remove yolks; discard 4 yolks. Place remaining 4 yolks in a medium bowl. Add ham and next 7 ingredients (through pepper); stir until combined.

Place bread in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 1 cup.

Spoon about 1 teaspoon yolk mixture into each egg white half. Top each half with 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs. Coat breadcrumbs with cooking spray.

Preheat broiler.

Place eggs on a baking sheet; broil 1 minute or until breadcrumbs are toasted. Garnish with thyme leaves, if desired.

Nutritional Information
Calories:38 (38% from fat)
Fat:1.6g (sat 0.5g,mono 0.6g,poly 0.2g)
Protein:3.3g
Carbohydrate:2.3g
Fiber:0.1g
Cholesterol:54mg
Iron:0.4mg
Sodium:127mg
Calcium:14mg

French cooking@home
by cooking mania

Croissant French Toast With Fresh Strawberry Syrup

RECIPE

Prep: 15 min., Cook: 4 min. per batch

Yield
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
4 large day-old croissants
3/4 cup milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
Sweetened Whipped Cream (optional)
Fresh Strawberry Syrup

Preparation
Slice croissants in half lengthwise.

Whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla. Pour into a shallow dish. Dip croissant halves into egg mixture, coating well.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add four croissant halves, and cook about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Repeat procedure with remaining butter and croissant halves. Sprinkle with powdered sugar; top with Sweetened Whipped Cream, if desired, and Fresh Strawberry Syrup.

French cooking@home
by cooking mania