Banana Stuffed French Toast

It's almost Valentine's Day...!

While I love the holiday I don't particularly buy in to all the retail hype surrounding it.  Don't get me wrong, who doesn't love flowers?  But to buy a dozen roses for $80.00 for this special day, when you can get the same for $25.00 next week just doesn't make sense to me.  Then there's the restaurants.  Around here they all have a special 3 or 4 course meal (planned out for you) at a pre-set price of $80 to $100 per person.  I don't know about you, but I like to select my meal, and again, the price on a "normal" day would be around $40 a person.  It just doesn't add up for me.

That is why we usually celebrate Valentine's in a different way.  Sometimes we spend a whole day doing fun things like visiting a museum, or going to Descano gardens.  Something "we" like to do.  Often, we just went to Vegas and that became our Valentine's trip.  All of these are nice and special, but I don't also love the times we stayed home to enjoy a nice quiet meal.  It's so special cause it's made with love!

This dish is great to make for your loved one...can you say breakfast in bed?  Or brunch if you will.  Banana Stuffed French Toast adds a little flair to the ordinary!  The flavors of the banana spring to life and dance in your mouth!  This dish is made using your oven, so it does most of the work!  I hope you try this recipe and surprise someone special in your life with some homemade loving goodness!

Some step by step pics to help you along.

 Oh my!

Banana Stuffed French Toast

adapted From BHG

Serves 2

2 eggs

1/2 cup low fat milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 1-inch-thick slices French bread

2/3 cup thinly sliced banana

Maple syrup or powdered sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a baking sheet lightly with nonstick cooking spray. In a shallow bowl, combine eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Whisk until well mixed. Set aside.

Cut a horizontal pocket in each bread slice, cutting from one end almost to, but not through, the other end.  Fill  pockets with banana.

Dip bread slices into egg mixture, coating both sides. Place on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden, turning once half way through the cooking time. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar or serve with syrup. Makes 4 slices.