Pear Fritters

Ingredients
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup sour cream
1 cup self-rising flour
2 peeled and cored pears
Vegetable oil, for frying
Vanilla ice cream, for garnish, optional
Cinnamon-sugar, for garnish, optional
Confectioners' sugar, for garnish, optional
Maple syrup, for garnish, optional
Mint leaves, for garnish, optional


Directions
Whisk together milk, egg, sugar, cinnamon and sour cream. Add flour. Set aside.


Slice the cored pears into rings. Heat the oil in skillet. Dip rings into batter and place in hot oil. Fry until golden brown.


Top with vanilla ice cream and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar and powered sugar, if desired. Drizzle with maple syrup and garnish with a mint leaf, if desired.


SOURCE

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash salt
• Praline Topping, recipe follows
• Maple syrup

Directions

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

SOURCE

French Toast