Vanilla Cinnamon Fried French Toast Sticks

No diet would allow this treat but I couldn't resist trying this out. I don't like soggy french toast but I do like crispy french toast and without day old bread, it is hard to make a good piece of crispy french toast. UNLESS, you fry it!

Here is how I made it happen.

Serves 4:

3 Eggs
1 t vanilla extract
1/4 C Milk (I used Soy)
8 Slices of Bread with crusts removed and cut into three strips each.
1/4 C Vegetable or Canola Oil (enough to cover the bottom of the pan about 1/4 inch)
Cinnamon Sugar
Maple Syrup

Beat the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl and transfer this mixture to a pie pan or shallow bowl. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

Dredge the bread in the egg mixture - very briefly (do not let it soak) and immediately transfer the bread to the oil. Allow the bread sticks to fry for about 30 to 45 seconds and then turn them over to finish.
This process is quick so make sure you don't walk away. Once they are done, remove them to a cloth to drain and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Serve with a slice of bacon, fruit, yogurt, and a dipping bowl of pure maple syrup. YUM!

Breaking the rules breakfast for dinner

Tonight was scheduled to be pork tenderloin with delicious sides...be patient, it is coming. Instead, I made breakfast for dinner because, quite frankly, it was easier and more desired by the youngens. So, while the raw pork tenderloin sat thawing all day, I decided to give it another reprieve. Even though it was simple, I do have a recipe for you.

For Christmas, I made up a bunch of gifts with my son's friends for their parents and this pancake mix was one of the jars that was shared with friends. It is called "Christmas Morning Pancakes" but it obviously can be eaten any time of the year. The following is the recipe for the mix and then the recipe for making the pancakes from the mix which will make many, many batches. So, this is really an investment in future easy breakfast, brunches, and dinners! I served these up with the rest of those turkey sausage links that I had and some tangerine segments. The kids really loved them (my almost-two year old ate two pancakes and three sausage links along with his tangerines!)

Christmas Morning Pancake Mix

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
4 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons salt

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Scoop into a quart jar, shaking down to fit it all in.

Attach the following recipe to a gift tag:

Christmas Morning Pancakes

Makes 12 medium pancakes.

3/4 cup milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/3 cups Christmas Morning Pancake Mix

Heat a lightly greased griddle.

In a medium bowl, combine the milk, egg, and oil. Add 1- /3 cups pancake mix, and stir just until moistened. It should still be somewhat lumpy. Cook on the heated griddle or in a waffle iron.

Best if used within 6 months.