STUFFED FRENCH TOAST
For the French Toast
1 loaf firm Italian-style bread {I sometimes use French bread – which was what I used this morning}
12 smoked bacon strips, cooked {today I used center cut bacon – for that was what was I had in the refrigerator!}
6 slices Cheddar cheese, each about 2 inches square, at room temperature {I LOVE cheese and thus used a full slice, folded in half}
3 eggs
6 tablespoons milk
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons butter or margarine
PREPARING THE BREAD
1. Slice off 1 end from the loaf of bread. To form bread pockets, use a serrated bread knife to cut a slit ½ inch from the end and three-quarters of the way through the loaf; then slice all the way through the loaf, ½ inch from the slit, making a 1-inch pocketed slice.
2. Continue cutting pockets and slices into the loaf, making a total of 6 pocketed slices.
MAKING THE FRENCH TOAST
1. Wrap 2 bacon slices around 1 slice of Cheddar, making sure the cheese is completely covered; insert into the pocket of 1 bread slice. Repeat with remaining bacon, cheese and bread pockets.
2. In a shallow bowl, lightly beat eggs and milk; add nutmeg and salt.
3. On a griddle or large frying pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Working with 3 sandwiches at a time, dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, turning to coat both sides. Let excess egg mixture drip back into the bowl.
4. Place 3 egg-coated sandwiches on the griddle; cook over medium heat until lightly golden on the bottoms, about 2 minutes. Using a spatula, turn each sandwich over, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until golden brown, 3-5 minutes longer. Add the remaining butter to the pan; repeat with the remaining egg-coated sandwiches.
KITCHEN TIPS
- Day-old bread works best for this recipe. If you must use fresh bread, refrigerate the loaf before slicing. Then let the sliced bread stand at room temperature for a few minutes before cooking.
- If you are using an electric griddle for the French toast (a convenient kitchen tool with a temperature control function), it should be heated to 350 degrees F – 375 degrees F.
- Fruit is a good accompaniment to the French Toast (although the toast alone is satisfying and filling)
