French Toast With Bananas Foster Syrup

By Christy Rost

The secret to French Toast with Bananas Foster Syrup is a waffle iron! After dipping bread into a cinnamon egg mixture, cook it in a waffle iron instead of a skillet, for a refreshing new take on an old favorite.

Ingredients:

2		tablespoons butter
¼		cup brown sugar, packed
1		teaspoon orange zest
1		tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
2		tablespoons dark rum
1		tablespoon Grand Marnier
1		cup maple syrup
4 to 5		bananas, sliced
4		eggs
¾		cup milk
1		teaspoon orange zest
½		teaspoon cinnamon
8		slices whole grain bread

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add brown sugar, orange zest, and orange juice, and stir to mix. When the brown sugar melts, stir in rum, Grand Marnier, and maple syrup, and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add sliced bananas, reduce heat to simmer, and keep the mixture warm.

Spray a waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray and preheat according to manufacturer’s directions. In a large bowl, whip eggs with a fork and stir in the milk, cinnamon, and orange zest.

Trim the bread to fit the waffle iron, if necessary. Soak slices of bread in the egg mixture, turning once, and transfer them to the waffle iron. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until the French toast is golden brown on both sides.

Place French toast on a warm platter and serve with Bananas Foster Syrup.

Recipe makes 8 slices.