Banana and Raspberry French Toast Goodness...

I was a big hater of french toast growing up. In fact I was a big hater of most food growing up. You'd think I was a different person.

There seem to be so many different ways to make french toast these days, it's pretty much not possible to dislike it. Brioche, bread, muffins, croissants, french stick - you name it, it's all good.

Being the great girlfriend that I am* I made my boyfriend french toast in the weekend. It could be filled with nearly anything. Nutella would be especially good I think. I just stuck to using Raspberry jam, a good dollop of butter and sliced banana as well as a touch or more of maple syrup..

Maybe you'd like to surprise a special someone with this sweet goodness too?

Banana and Raspberry French Toast

You will need:

2 slices bread/brioche/muffins/whatever tickles your fancy!

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

vanilla essence

2 tablespoons raspberry jam

1 banana, sliced

1/4 cup frozen raspberries

1 tablespoon icing sugar

maple syrup

How to:

Whisk eggs together well. Add milk and vanilla. Spread jam and butter on both pieces of bread. Top one slice of bread with sliced banana then place the other piece on top. Press down together. Soak sandwich into egg mixture, making sure all bread is completely covered.

Heat a dollop of butter in a frying pan, making sure the pan is not too hot (if butter turns brown, pan is too hot). Once the right temperature, place the sandwich on the pan. Cook for about five minutes on each side until golden brown.

Meanwhile, place frozen berries in microwave until soft. Stir in icing sugar.

Top french toast with any left over sliced banana and the raspberries. Do I need to mention drizzle over maple syrup to your hearts content? I didn't think so...

Apricot Granola

I used to get paid to cook family meals, snacks and well anything really. It was mean't to be a nanny job but I spent more time cooking than I did looking after the children. It was pretty great.

My 'nanny mum' often requested this Granola as it was one of her favorites. I hope you like it too.

Apricot Granola

You will need (this recipe is VERY adaptable so if you don't have everything, mix and match):

2 cups nuts (e.g. almonds, cashews etc.)

1/2 cups sunflower seeds

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup coconut

4 cups rolled oats

3/4 cup maple syrup/honey

1 1/2 cup salad oil

1/2 cup dried apricots, cut however you like them

1/2 cup processed bran

Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees Celsius. Combine all the nuts and grains in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the oil and maple syrup. Pour this into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix together.

Cook in roasting pans for about 45 minutes, turning every 10-15minutes to cook evenly to a golden brown. Remove from oven and mix in apricots and bran.

Serve with milk and fruit, as a topping on yoghurt/ice cream or simply stick your paws into the container and enjoy!

Pillows

When I was little, I was told that sleeping with one pillow instead of two would make me taller. I quickly became a one-pillow child after that. I also became quite particular about my pillow: It had to be chunky, firm but soft, fluffy and full-bodied. I still hold this pillow criteria today. Well, that was up until to a few days ago when I discovered something amazing. Something that took my pillow criteria to a new level- an edible kind. You won't believe it until you see it. I didn't believe at first either. But it changed me when I saw it. From a one-pillow person to a several pillow-person. Several pillow cookie person that is. Yes, a pillow cookie. Are you ready to see what that looks like?

Here goes...

Ta-dah! No that isn't just a big chocoate chunk in the middle. It's a BROWNIE chunk! Yes you read correctly. It's a brownie inside a cookie. I know, i know! I'm excited too. Two heavenly things paired together to make one holy goodness.

My flatmate and I made them together as a wee Saturday afternoon delight. And delightful they were.

I found the recipe here. From the one and only Bakerella.

Judging by how excited you are (I know you are..) here is the how to:

Make a batch of brownies (any recipe will be fine, we used this one).

While these are cooking, make your favourite chocolate chip cookie mixture (preferably one that makes a few cookies, check out the one on Bakerella if you can't find one). When the brownies are cooked, cut them into little tiny squares. Then...

Take some mixture:

Form a ball with the mixture. Then make a hole in the ball, and place the brownie inside, wrapping the mixture around it as you go.

Roll the ball as you would with a normal cookie and gently press it with a fork.

Place in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Now, that's what I call a pillow. Well, a pillow cookie. Maybe these are what I have been needing to grow taller! There's still hope...