How was your Valentine's?

The DH and I went to a lovely dinner at my favorite restaurant here in Albany, Athos. Sadly we missed the movies this year but rented Moneyball.  The fella sure enjoyed it, and it allowed me to put my ever swelling pregnant legs up! 5 week's till our little guy joins us.

How was your Valentine's Day? Hopefully everyone got to see someone they loved (furry faces count too!).

Lighten Up a Decadent Breakfast

This pregnant lady loves french toast right now. I first had this bake at a bridal shower and fell in love. Here is the original Paula Deen recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/baked-french-toast-casserole-with-maple-syrup-recipe2/index.html

And here is my version - next time I think I'll swap butter for margarine and a couple eggs for egg whites. Both the original and my tweak version are super yummy! If you can think of anymore calorie savers I'm all ears!!

 Ingredients

10 pieces of wheat bread torn in half 

4 large eggs

 3 cups skim milk

1 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Sprinkle nutmeg

Praline Topping:

1 stick butter chunked

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions
Arrange slices of bread in a non stick sprayed small casserole dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Prep praline topping- Chunk butter over bread (with egg mix poured on). Mix dry ingredients and sprinkle over the entire dish.

 Cover with foil or cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup if desired

In Love with Sweet Potatoes

Currently I cant get enough of sweet potatoes! This baby has healthy taste. I'm trying to perfect my fries and I think I'm almost there.....

-Peel and cut sweet potatoes
-Microwave for 5 minutes
-Bring an oven with a baking stone in it up to 375
-Place potatoes on stone
-Drizzle with olive oil
-Sprinkle with paprika, adobo, and kosher salt
-Bake 20 minutes and flip
-Bake 20 more
I served my portion with light cottage cheese ( with pepper ) - what a great light lunch!

1st Dinner of 2012

Chicken tenderloins
Roasted red peppers
Capers
Onion
Mushrooms
Olives
Garlic, Adobo, and Italian Seasoning
Served with wild rice and corn

What did you have for dinner New Years Day ?

The Wonder of Christmas Crack

Be warned this is a wonderful Salty Sweet, highly addictive Holiday Snack! Toffee, chocolate, nuts- what's not to like? I have yet to meet anyone who's said "eh no thanks". Easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in the house! I found the recipe on craftster.org

http://www.craftster.org/blog/christmas-crack-recipe-oldies-but-goodies/

a few years ago and haven't looked back.
Are you baking this week for Hanukkah or Christmas?
PS-I'm in need of Hanukkah recipes so if you have any send them my way!

Wordless Wednesday- Christmas has Begun!

Wordless Wednesday- Baby Kurtz in 3D