Strawberry & Cream Cheese French Toast

Just finished eating Strawberry & Cream Cheese French Toast! Yum...

I had some strawberries in the fridge that I had to use up before they spoiled so I searched around for a recipe to use for breakfast this morning. I found one from Paula Deen and with a few modifications this is what I came up with. A breakfast sandwich nirvana!

Strawberry & Cream Cheese French Toast

Ingredients:               Makes 5 servings

• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup confectionary sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
• 10 slices bread
• 1 cup fresh sliced strawberries
• butter for frying
• Strawberry syrup, recipe follows
• Maple syrup & whipped cream if desired

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla, set aside. In another small bowl whisk together cream cheese, confectioary sugar, and maple syrup, set aside.
Melt butter on griddle over medium-low heat. dip only one side of bread in egg mixture, cook one side only on griddle. Once all of the slices are toasted on one side it is time to assemble the sandwiches. Turn griddle off. Spread cream cheese mixture on the toasted sides of the bread then layer strawberry slices over the cream cheese on five pieces of bread. Top with the remaining five pieces of bread. Reheat griddle and butter. Now dip each sandwich in egg mixture on each side and fry until golden brown. 2-3 minutes each side.
Serve with strawberry syrup.
You can also serve with maple syrup, whipped cream, and confectionary sugar.

Strawberry Syrup

• 3 cups fresh sliced strawberries
• 1 cup sugar
• Zest and juice of one lemon

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. 
Lower heat and simmer til syrup has thickened. 15-18 minutes.

Cheesy Beer Bread

 

I love baking bread in the winter, it warms the house and smells so good and tastes even better. This classic beer bread is hearty with a crunchy crust and cheddar cheese gives it depth.

It only takes a few minutes to put together and while it is baking you have time to make the rest of your meal.

I love easy!

 

 

Cheesy Beer Bread
 

Ingredients:

·                  3 cups flour , sifted
·                  3 teaspoons baking powder 
·                  1 teaspoon salt
·                  1/4 cup sugar
·                  1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
·                  1 (12 ounce) can beer
·                  1/4 cup melted butter

Directions:                 Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients with cheese then stir in the beer. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Melt butter and pour over the mixture. Bake 1 hour, let cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan.

You will love this bread but if you prefer a soft crust just mix the butter into the batter instead of pouring over the top.

Painting a metal folding chair.

What do I do with free time? Paint my folding chairs from Lowes to look rustic. The legs are painted to look like birch bark and the seat & back resemble barn board.