Fruity French Toast Casserole

I got a version of this recipe from KSTU-TV, but adapted it for my own family. I cook a hot breakfast at least 4 days a week, so I'm always looking for new things so it's not always the standard "bacon & eggs" or "pancakes". Also, anywhere you can sneak some fruit in is always a bonus. This one is good and just fun for something a little different from the standard breakfast foods. This will serve about 4-6 people.

Casserole

6 Slices Bread, cubed

4 oz (1/2 pkg.) Cream Cheese, cut into small cubes

1 Cup Fresh Fruit (blueberries, strawberries, peaches or whatever you like)

5 Eggs

¼ Cup Milk

¼ Cup Maple Syrup

1) Place ½ of cubed bread in a well greased baking dish (8X8’ish or one like I told you about in this post). Spread around evenly.

2) Sprinkle cubed cream cheese evenly in dish over the bread.

3) Arrange fruit on top of bread & cream cheese.

4) Top with remaining bread cubes.

5) Beat together eggs, milk and syrup and pour over bread mixture so everything is moistened.

6) Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least a couple hours.

7) In the morning, bake at 350 covered with foil for 30 min.

8) Remove foil and bake another 30 min. until lightly browned.

Fruit Topping

½ Cup Water

½ Cup Sugar

1 Tbsp. Cornstarch

1 Tbsp. Butter

1 Cup Fresh Fruit (same as in the bread mixture, or not I guess)

1) While the casserole is baking, combine water, sugar and cornstarch in pan and stir together to dissolve sugar.

2) Heat until thickened and add the fruit. Continue cooking for a couple of minutes.

3) Remove from heat and add butter. Stir together until butter is melted.

Cut french toast into servings and top with fruit mixture.

My Cute New Cookware

You might be thinking, "how could someone refer to their cookware as cute?" Well, let me just show you what I got for Mother's Day that I am so excited about. In fact, I'm so excited that I haven't stopped cooking ever since and our fridge is getting too full to fit anything else into it. I'm going to have to take a break for awhile until we catch up! Cookware isn't what it used to be...silver, black, straight, boring. There are so many fun options out there, why didn't someone think of "cute" cookware sooner?! Next, I'm going to have to replace my entire pots & pans set! Anyway, here are my two new items that have brought me so much joy.

Rachael Ray's Bubble & Brown Stoneware Set: You can select from a few awesome colors. I chose the orange. You can use these as you would normally use any kind of glass baking dish, except instead of clear, square and boring, you've got a beautiful bright color, shape and even handles! You can use it to make things like lasagna, casseroles, brownies, etc. They are even cute enough to use as serving dishes for other things! I served a fruit dip in the little one last week. Tramontina Gourmet Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: This one is great because I've always needed a smaller dish for things like soup for my little family. I have this giant soup pan and I seriously think because of it, I rarely make soup for my family. Who wants to lug out this giant thing that's way bigger than what you need and that you have to clean when you're done? This is cast iron so it heats everything evenly and can be used right on the stove and transferred into the oven. You could brown beef in it for spaghetti sauce (or hamburger helper, I'll just admit) because you still have plenty of room for more. It also has cute little handles so you can serve in it as well. Who doesn't love to save cleaning time by using less dishes? And again, it came in a fun color! Love it!