Saturday, December 29, 2012

Silk Nog Baked French Toast

Brian and I have a tradition that every year we make a special breakfast on Christmas morning.  It's always some kind of sweet dish like pancakes, waffles, or French toast paired with a vegan meat - usually Gimme Lean sausage.  We try to come up with a new recipe each year to keep it interesting.  

This year we were down to the wire.  It was the actually Christmas Eve before I finalized my plans.  I knew I wanted to do some kind of French toast and had 3 recipes laid out in front of me but just wasn't sure which one I wanted to use.  In the end I took ideas from all 3 recipes and wrote my own.  I also have a new vegan egg substitute - The Vegg - that I've been wanting to try so I worked that into it, as well.

The result?  THE best baked French toast.  PERIOD.  


Silk Nog Baked French Toast
(printable recipe)

Ingredients:

16 slices cinnamon-raisin bread (I used Aunt Millie's and needed more than 1 loaf)
2 cups Silk nog
1 tsp. Vegg blended with 1/4 cup water OR 1/4 cup blended silken tofu
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Maple syrup

Directions:

1. Spray a 9x11 inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Cut the crusts off the bread.  Make 2 layers of 8 slices each in the pan, making sure all slices are touching.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the nog, Vegg or tofu, nutmeg, and cinnamon.  Pour over the bread, covering evenly.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
 4. In the morning, preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until the bread is dry to the touch.  Serve with maple syrup.

Makes 4 servings.

What did you enjoy for breakfast on Christmas Day?


Christmas Realization

There is a group of 3 guys that run in my neighborhood and for the past several years I've just so happened to look out my window on Christmas morning as they've been running down my street.  Each time I've marveled aloud to Brian about their dedication and commitment to running both in the wintry conditions and on Christmas day.  And I pretty much thought they were crazy.

About halfway through my Christmas morning run, I realized that I am now one of those runners.  I didn't think twice about getting out there in the snow.  Sure it was slippery but I was more careful that usual.  Yes it was cold but I dressed appropriately and warmed up quickly.  And although it was Christmas it wasn't too busy to fit in a run.  It was quiet and peaceful and relaxing.  Merry Christmas to me!

That's what I did for myself this Christmas.  I hope you were able to take a little time out for yourself, as well.