French Toast with Banana Cream Topping

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

French Toast

• 8 slices white bread (day old preferred)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Butter, for frying

Banana Cream Topping

• 2 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
• 3/4 cup chilled whipping cream
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Begin the topping at least two hours in advance of serving.

Banana Cream Topping

1. In a medium saucepan, combine bananas, orange juice, sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until the bananas become very soft.
2. With a slotted spoon, transfer bananas to blender.
3. Add 1/4 cup liquid from the pan and puree until smooth.
4. Cover with plastic wrap in medium bowl and chill until cold (at least 2 hours).
5. Just before removing banana mixture from the refrigerator, beat whipping cream in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form.
6. Remove banana puree from the refrigerator and fold into the whipping cream.

French Toast

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon and vanilla extract. Dip bread slices into egg mixture, coating both sides generously.
2. On a griddle or skillet at medium heat, melt butter and then cook slices until each side is golden-brown. You can place completed French toast slices on a serving plate in an oven set to 100 degrees F to keep finished slices warm as you cook the others.
3. Top each serving of French toast with a generous dollop of the Banana Cream Topping.
4. Garnish with a few slices of freshly-sliced banana.