Peanut Butter Banana Stuffed French Toast

 

When I first met my hubby, I remember he used to put peanut butter on his French toast.  I thought he was insane.  I was a French toast "purist" and believed that simple French toast could never be improved upon; it was perfect just the way it was!  Fast forward years and years (and maybe even a few more years) later, and I finally tried a classic stuffed French toast (the kind with cream cheese).  I thought I would hate it, but it was actually quite good.  Then one day I remembered my hubby's love of peanut butter smeared on French toast.  That's when I came up with the peanut butter stuffed French toast.  In this version I use banana, but it's good with other fruits as well.

 

Ingredients:

• 2 slices Texas toast (or other thick bread)
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1/2 banana, sliced
• 1 egg
• 1/8 cup milk
• 1/2 tablespoon syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Pan Insert to Use: Base Unit

Servings: 1

Directions:
1. Preheat grill. If using the Xpress Platinum, preheat at setting 2.
2. Spritz pan with non-stick spray.
3. Spread each piece of Texas toast with 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter.  Place banana slices on one of the pieces of bread.

4. Assemble "sandwich" and set aside.
5. Mix together egg, milk, syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon in a bowl; dip "sandwich" into mixture and place in the grill.

6. Close lid and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until browned.  If your bread is too thin, you may need to flip and add another 3-4 minutes of cooking time.
7.  Serve with additional syrup.

Variations:
Instead of using banana, try this recipe with sliced strawberries or thin apple slices.

Blueberry Breakfast Sandwich

Blueberries are incredibly good for you.  Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of plain ol' blueberries, and I need to jazz them up if I'm going to eat them.  I enjoy them in muffins, pancakes, waffles, and in this awesome breakfast sandwich!  I make this sandwich with strawberry cream cheese, but you could easily substitute cinnamon cream cheese - or even plain cream cheese!  Because this sandwich is so "pretty" in its coloring, it's easy to get my little girl to eat it as well.  ;)   I used frozen blueberries for this recipe, but fresh would probably be just as delicious!

Ingredients:

• 2 slices Texas toast (or other thick bread)
• 2 wedges strawberry cream cheese (like the kind by Laughing Cow)
• 1/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Pan Insert to Use:  Base Unit

Servings:  1

Directions:
1. Preheat grill. If using the Xpress Platinum, preheat at setting 2.
2. Spritz pan with non-stick spray.
3. If blueberries are frozen, thaw them in the microwave.
4. Spread each slice of Texas toast with 1 wedge of strawberry cream cheese.
5. Place blueberries on 1 slice of bread and close sandwich.

6. Spread butter/margarine on the outside of the sandwich - about 1 tablespoon per side.

7. Place in grill and close cover.  Cook for 2-3 minutes, flip, cook other side for 2-3 minutes.
8. Let cool slightly before eating - the cream cheese will be HOT!

Mac & Cheese Tomato Boats

 

My kid (and every kid I know, for that matter) LOVES macaroni & cheese!  But the problem with mac & cheese is that there isn't much nutritional value.  I've tried mixing in pureed carrots, chopped broccoli, and diced peppers.  But I've really stumbled onto gold with these mac & cheese boats.  She gets to help with the preparation (always a plus) and she gets to eat something fun because we call it "mac & cheese boats."  What kid doesn't want to eat their food out of a boat - then be able to devour said boat?  The best thing about this recipe is that you don't have to use the microwaveable mac/cheese cups; it works just as well (if not better) with prepared homemade mac & cheese.  For the sake of simplicity, I'll be using the mac & cheese cups.  The bacon is added for a little extra protein, but you could easily leave it out to keep this dish vegetarian.

Ingredients:

• 1 microwaveable cup of mac & cheese (such as Easy Mac)
• 1 medium tomato
• 2 slices American cheese
• 1 tablespoon cooked, crumbled bacon
• 1/2 tablespoon shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 tablespoon French fried onions

Pan Insert to Use: Base Unit

Servings: 1-2

Directions:
1. Preheat grill. If using the Xpress Platinum, preheat at setting 2.
2. Spritz pan with non-stick spray.
3. Prepare macaroni & cheese according to package directions.

4. Cut tomato in half & hollow out inside.  Use paper towels to remove excess moisture.

5. Break up 2 slices of American cheese and stir into prepared macaroni & cheese.

6. Add bacon to mac & cheese and stir.
7. Scoop mac & cheese mixture into tomato halves.
8. Top each tomato half with 1/4 tablespoon Parmesan cheese.
9. Put French fried onions into a small zippered plastic bag and seal.  Crush onions with hands to make crumbs.

10. Top tomatoes with onion crumbs.

11. Cook both halves (side by side) in unit for about 5-7 minutes.