Category Archives: Fruit

Blueberry French Toast Casserole

This recipe is super!  We have it on Christmas mornings.  I make it up the night before and keep it in the fridge until we wake up.  Then while the gifts are being opened, this is baking and filling the house with a wonderful aroma.  Mmmmmmm!

6 slices bread — 1 inch cubes
8 ounces cream cheese — 1/2″ cubes
1/2 cup blueberries — fresh or frozen
6 eggs — beaten
1 cup Milk
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 cup Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Sugar
1 tablespoon Cornstarch
1/2 cup Water
1/2 cup blueberries — fresh or frozen
1/2 tablespoon butter
Spray or grease a baking dish. Arrange half of the bread cubes in the dish. Top with cream cheese cubes. Sprinkle 1/2 C. blueberries over the cream cheese. Top with the remaining bread cubes.
In a large bowl, mix the beaten eggs, milk, vanilla extract and maple syrup. Pour over the bread cubes. Cover and refrigerate overnight if serving the next day. If not, continue with freezing instructions.
Freezing and Cooking Directions: Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and place inside a labeled one or two gallon freezer bag. Remove excess air, seal and freeze.
To serve, thaw if frozen (takes about 12-14 in refrigerator). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking.
Bake covered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover and continue baking 25-30 minutes until center is firm and surface is lightly browned.
For sauce, in a medium saucepan mix the sugar, cornstarch and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly cook 3-4 minutes. Mix in the remaining blueberries (1/2 C. per recipe). Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes until the blueberries burst. Stir in the butter and pour over the baked French toast casserole.
6  Servings

Baked Peach French Toast

6 1″-thick slices whole-grain bread
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
6 medium (or 8 small) fresh peaches, sliced
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup maple syrup
3 large eggs
2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Kahlua coffee liqueur (optional)
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.  Lay bread slices in a buttered or sprayed casserole dish or other baking dish. 
Prick bread 3-4 times each with a paring knife.  Spread a layer of cream cheese on top of each slice of bread.  Arrange peach slices on top of bread slices to cover bread.  Combine milk, buttermilk, maple syrup, eggs, butter, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and Kahlua and mix well.
Pour over bread and peaches; liquid should come to at least the tops of the slices of bread.
Sprinkle nuts over peaches.  Bake 30 minutes, or until bread is no longer “soggy” and just begins to brown on the edges.
Plate each slice separately and serve with maple syrup 
Note: You may also let assembled French toast sit refrigerated in liquid for several hours or overnight before baking. Cored and peeled apple slices may also be substituted for the peach slices.

Gold Medalist Smoothie

8 ounces frozen strawberries, not in syrup – do not defrost
1 banana
1 cup pineapple juice
2 tablespoons coconut cream
1/4 cup grenadine
1 cup ice
2 fresh strawberries, for garnish

Pour all ingredients, except for the garnish, in the order listed into a blender and blend on high speed for 15-30 seconds, or until all the ice is crushed and the drirnk is smooth.  Garnish each drink with a fresh strawberry.

 2  Servings

Fruit Smoothies

2 -8 ounces yogurt, fat free – vanilla
2 bananas, small ripe, sliced, frozen
1 cup strawberries, sliced, frozen
1 cup berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, frozen

In a blender container, combine yogurt, bananas, and berries; cover and puree until nearly smooth.
Makes 4 servings.