Cooking Done Light

Stuffed french toast is a rich, filling and satisfying treat to have anytime of day. I am a big fan of eating “breakfast for dinner” – and this is one of my favorites. You can stuff the toast with whatever you would like – peaches, bananas, berries, apples, or even a savory filling like low-fat cheese and turkey sausage!

This dish is much more easy to make than you may think, given it’s impressive appearance. Experiment with new fillings and toppings, and it’s sure to become one of your new favorite breakfasts.

8 slices whole wheat or whole grain bread (about 1 1/2-inches thick each)

4 teaspoons canola oil

2 teaspoons butter

3 cups slightly firm ripe pears, diced into large chunks

2 teaspoons cinnamon

4 tablespoons light cream cheese

2 whole eggs plus 4 additional egg whites

Chopped nuts for garnish and additional cinnamon (or powdered sugar) for dusting (both optional)

Heat the oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet for about 1 minute, then add the pears and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon. Cook the pears for 1-2 minutes, then remove the skillet from the heat and stir the cream cheese into the warm pears until the cream cheese melts completely. Spoon the mixture into a bowl and set aside.

Spoon 2 tablespoons of the pear mixture onto 4 of the bread slices, top each with another slice of bread, and set aside.
Whisk together the egg, egg whites, and remaining teaspoon of cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Heat a nonstick griddle (or skillet, or frying pan) over medium heat, and let it heat up for 1 minute. Lightly spray the pan with cooking spray.
Take 1 stuffed “sandwich” and dip both sides and each edge into the egg mixture to coat it well.

Place the stuffed toast in the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes; Carefully flip the “sandwich” over, and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side. Once the toast is golden brown, remove it from heat. (You can keep it warm in a 200 degree oven while you make the rest of the french toast.)

Serve with maple syrup, a dollop of light whipped cream, additional fresh fruit topping, cinnamon, powdered sugar, or chopped nuts (if desired).
Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 217 calories, 4 g total fat, less than 1 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 31 g carbohydrates, 12 g fiber, 0 g added sugar, 10 g protein, 118 mg sodium, 103 mg cholesterol