Recipes

Several people requested the recipes for some of the dishes I made last weekend. Here they are!

Baked French Toast
Food Network

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F and make the Praline Topping.

Praline Topping:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.

-----------

Crockpot Egg Bake
About.com
(I didn't particularly like this one - it seems to be too heavy on the meat and spinach no matter how many eggs you add. Some people said they liked it, so I will include it.)

INGREDIENTS:
1 pound very lean ground beef
1/2 pound ground breakfast sausage, mild
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can sliced mushrooms
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 package (10oz) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed to remove as much water as possible
3 tablespoons flour
6 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup milk, scalded
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

PREPARATION:
In a skillet, lightly brown meats and onion in butter; drain well and place meat mixture in a well-greased slow cooker. Add minced garlic, sliced mushrooms, salt, nutmeg, spinach, and flour; stir gently to blend.

Beat eggs and milk together; pour over meat mixture. Stir well; cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 9 hours, or until set. Sprinkle with shredded cheese 5 minutes before serving.

-----------

Crockpot Sweet Potatoes
Betty Crocker

6 medium (2 pounds) sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 1/2 cups applesauce
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped nuts, toasted

1. Place sweet potatoes in 2- to 3 1/2-quart slow cooker. Mix remaining ingredients except nuts; spoon over potatoes.
2. Cover and cook on low heat setting 6 to 8 hours or until potatoes are very tender.
3. Sprinkle with nuts.