Apple Cinnamon French Toast

Some days you are the dog; some days you are the fire hydrant.

So with two members of the family down with foot operations, the rest of the team has all pitched in.  The key is not to leave the two of them to their own for more than a minute or two or they get up to no good.

They will just randomly take off on their own like a toddler in a toy store, and then the hunt is on.  More than once, we’ve been out in the kitchen making dinner only to look into the family room and realize there is one less head sticking above the couch than there should be.  You wouldn’t think someone with a cast and foot scooter could move that fast, but when they decide they need to go somewhere or do something, they suddenly become more stealthy than a cheetah going after a gazelle. And so, we have started to tag team them, and do everything as quickly as possible.

Case in point: The other day, I was doing laundry, so my sister-in-law, Rose, decided it would be a good time to grab a quick shower.  Apparently she was quicker than we imagined she would be because when she went to help her sister, she was told,” I can wait till you take a shower and get your make-up on.”

To which Rose replied, ” Um.  I have my make-up on, but maybe I should get out the trowel and apply another coat.”

Oops.

Shortly thereafter, I was changing sheets on one of the beds and she came in to help me.

“No, no,” I waved her away without really looking, “go take your shower. I’ve got this.”

“I did take my shower!” she retorted, gesturing to her change of clothes. “But I guess I need to take another one, apply more make-up, maybe get a blow-out.  Should I get my nails done too, so I look presentable? I didn’t realize the standards around here were so high.”

Oops.

So, in the interest of being quick, but getting the job done, here is a French toast recipe that takes no time to make, but looks really good.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup silken tofu
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 teaspoons maple syrup
• small baguette (I got about 14 slices total from this recipe)

Directions:

1. Slice the baguette the day before and let the slices go stale overnight.  If you forget, you can always put the slices on a baking sheet in a 250 oven and bake for 10 minutes, flip over, and bake for another 10 minutes.  The goal is to toast them, not brown them.
2. Put the tofu, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and syrup in a blender and puree till smooth.  Pour into a shallow dish, and allow the bread to sit in it for about 20 seconds (10 seconds each side if it is not submerged).  Cook the slices over medium heat in a non-stick pan or one that is lightly greased (I use vegan butter) till they are golden brown on the bottom, then flip over and cook on the other side till golden.  Serve with apple topping

Ingredients:

• 2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped into small pieces
• 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
• pinch of nutmeg

Directions:

1. If you are using really sweet and tender apples, just put the slices into a pan with the syrup and nutmeg and saute till the apples are cooked through and the syrup has thickened.  If your apples are a bit firmer and less sweet, you can put them into a small pot with a good splash (1/4 cup or so) of water, bring to a boil, cover and simmer for a few minutes till they are cooked and tender.  Drain the remaining water, add the syrup and nutmeg and saute them till the syrup has thickened a bit.
2. Pour the apple mixture over the French toast and serve immediately.

** If you don’t care for apples, feel free to top the toast with blueberries.  It is equally delicious!

Enjoy!