French Toast with Spiced Pears

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If you ever feel guilty that you let bread go stale before you can finish it, I have two words for you: French toast.

Nothing does a tastier job of reviving day-old bread than a soak in milk and eggs.

In fact, you might be tempted to ignore a chunk of bread for a day or two, just to have the fixings for a sumptuous breakfast.

But don't expect any bread to yield the fluffy, pillow-like texture and delicate flavor of great French toast. Whole grains are too coarse-textured and dark breads such as pumpernickel, too strongly flavored. Instead I recommend challah (egg bread) for its soft texture, mild flavor and absorbent qualities.

Along with the bread type, consider the thickness, especially if you're setting bread aside.

Too dense and the bread becomes heavy and soggy; too thin and the toast falls apart during cooking. Bread sliced 1-inch thick is just right.

The final consideration is what you'll slather on your French toast. Maple syrup and butter are classic accompaniments, especially if you can't wait to dig in. However, if you devote a few more minutes to the dish you can create a luscious topping of spiced pears with walnuts.

French Toast with Spiced Pears

Makes 2 servings.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Pears:

2 teaspoons butter

2 ripe medium pears, preferably peeled, cut into thin wedges

1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder

1/2 cup pear juice

1 tablespoon honey

2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

French toast:

2 teaspoons butter

1 egg

1/2 cup reduced-fat milk

2 (1-inch thick) slices day-old challah (egg bread)

To make spiced pears melt 1 tablespoon butter in medium skillet. Add pears, sprinkle on five-spice powder and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until tender and just starting to brown, turning occasionally.

Pour in pear juice. Increase heat to high, scrape up any browned bits in skillet and reduce liquid by half. Stir in honey and walnuts. Remove pear mixture from skillet and set aside. Wipe out skillet.

To make French toast, melt 1 tablespoon butter in large nonstick skillet. Beat egg in shallow bowl. Add milk and stir. Dip bread slices in egg batter, coating both sides. Arrange bread in skillet. Cook over medium heat 2 minutes per side or until golden brown on both sides.

Serve French toast topped with spiced pears.

Each serving has: 570 calories; 22 grams total fat; 15 grams protein; 83 grams carbohydrates; 182 milligrams cholesterol; 470 milligrams sodium and 7.5 grams dietary fiber.

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French Toast with Spiced Pears - Recipe

(c) 2010, Bev Bennett. Distributed by Tribune Media Services Inc.