French Toast

I've been buying a lot more bread lately because whole grain and multi grain options now abound. That leaves me with the question of what to do with leftover bread and I usually solve the problem by making French toast. If you like soaking your bread in the egg and milk mixture rather than giving it a quick dip, make sure you use day old fresh baked bread so it doesn't fall apart.

There are so many variations of French toast so I humbly offer you one. I find that this ratio of milk to eggs (1 egg to 1/4 cup milk) works well if you want to soak the bread. Too much egg to milk makes it harder for the bread to absorb the mixture.

Makes 4-6 servings, or 6 loaf slices

Ingredients:

• leftover or day old multi grain bread that's not too dense (baguette or loaf)
• 4 eggs or two eggs and 6 tablespoons liquid egg whites
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch salt
• Trader Joe's grade B maple syrup
• 1 bag Trader Joe's frozen blueberries or strawberries (double if you like a lot of fruit)
  
• Confectioner's sugar
  

Preparation:

1. Place frozen fruit in a small saucepan over medium heat and cover. Stir occasionally to defrost while making French toast. Remove from heat when defrosted. If you overcook the fruit, it will turn to mush.
2. Slice bread about 1/2 inch thick and set aside. Preheat griddle or cast iron skillet over medium.
   
3. Beat together egg, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Soak slices of bread in mixture until saturated. Do not over soak or they will crumble.
   
4. Spray griddle or skillet with cooking spray and add prepared slices of bread. Cook until golden on both sides and cooked through, about 10 min. Serve with syrup, fruit and a dusting of confectioner's sugar.
   

Organic Spring Greens With Clementines, Candied Walnuts and Dried Cranberries

Clementines are still in season and I love eating them out of hand or putting them in a salad. The combination of fruit and nuts in salads works really well and even kids like it. When Clementines are not in season, I supreme oranges and use them. What does supreme mean? It means removing all the membrane and pith from an orange so all you have is pure fruit that shines. Here's an excellent youtube video that teaches you how to supreme an orange.

Now, back to the salad. When you’re in a big hurry and are willing to spend a little more for the convenience, substitute Trader’s Joe’s pomegranate seeds for the fresh fruit. They are packaged fresh in the lettuce greens section of the refrigerator case. They also add a bit more crunch to the salad and are beautiful to look at. I had this salad for lunch yesterday with some pita bread and it really hit the spot.

Serves 4-6 as an appetizer, 4 as a light lunch

Ingredients:

• 1 bag Trader Joe’s Organics Baby Spring Mix
• 1 bag Trader Joe’s Organic Dried Cranberries
• 1 package Trader Joe’s Candied Walnuts
• 1 bag Trader Joe’s Premium Clementines
• Dressing of your choice
• 1 multi grain baguette

Preparation:

1. Arrange salad plates and divide salad mix evenly on plates, keeping it narrow and high rather than shallow and wide. Avoid dressing the salad until the last minute.
2. Wash and dry one Clementine per plate. Peel and section, removing any membrane, and arrange on top of salad greens.
3. Sprinkle each salad with 1 heaping tablespoon each candied walnuts and dried cranberries.
4. Serve with dressing of your choice and a loaf of Trader Joe’s multi grain baguette or other fresh baked bread.

Pasta With Escarole & Beans

This is just about one of the fastest, healthiest, and cheapest dinners one can prepare for a casual family dinner. It's super fast if you make the beans ahead or buy canned. Please don't cringe at the anchovies, unless you're a vegetarian and want to omit them. I grew up eating them at home and have learned to use them as a seasoning ingredient in many dishes where they go undetected. The flavor of the anchovies blends with all the other ingredients to achieve an added level of richness. Yes, this is a rich tasting dish. Try it and let me know what you think. Resist the temptation to use more pasta; you will overwhelm the greens and beans and the dish will be too dry.

Serves 4-6
Ingredients:

• 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced thin
• 4 anchovy fillets (optional)
  
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 heads escarole
• 2 cups cooked cannelini or other white beans
• 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt or to taste
  
• 1/2 pound pasta,preferably whole grain penne, rigatoni or fusilli
  
• Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
  

Preparation:

1. Remove tough outer leaves and any damaged leaves from escarole head and discard. Lay escarole on cutting board and cut leaves crosswise into 2 inch wide strips. Rinse in several changes of water until dirt free. Set aside. Set pasta water to boil.
2. Place a large, deep casserole over medium heat and add olive oil. When oil begins to shimmer add garlic, cook for one minute, then add pepper flakes and anchovies. Stir with a wooden spoon, mashing up the anchovies as they begin to cook. When garlic is golden, add escarole, beans stock and salt and turn heat to high. Stir and cover until it comes to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until escarole is cooked through, about 12-15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to box directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid in case pasta is too dry. Add pasta to escarole mixture and stir to combine. If dish it too dry, add pasta cooking liquid in small amounts until desired consistency is reached. It should be neither too dry nor too soupy. Taste and adjust seasoning.
   
4. Serve with a liberal sprinkling of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.