Healthy Recipes: Apple French Toast Casserole

Many recipes I find are high in sugar and low in protein.  I "tweaked" this one to increase the protein content and decrease the sugar.  My youngest daughter is very sensitive to egg--the original recipe called for 4 eggs;  I cut the eggs in half and used applesauce.  You might also try butternut squash puree or pumpkin puree.  As usual, this recipe has also been altered to leave out any milk or soy.

Ingredients

8 slices High Fiber, whole grain Bread  (I found a bread with Quinoa)

4 tablespoons Butter (many milk allergic people can have butter)

3 Large apples, peeled and sliced thinly

2 TBSP brown sugar + enough Agave Nectar to equal 1/2 cup

2 tablespoons Water

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

4 Large eggs  (or 2 Large eggs + 1/2 cup Applesauce)

1 1/4 cups unsweetened Almond milk (or any type of milk)

2 teaspoons Vanilla extract

1 cup Chopped pecans   (I use 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans and 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds to boost protein)

Preparation

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet and add apples.

2. Cook and stir for 5 minutes.

3. Add brown sugar & Agave, water, chopped pecans and cinnamon and continue to cook and stir for 10 minutes until apples are tender.

4. Spoon mixture into 13x9 baking dish.

5. Cover apples with bread slices, making sure to cover the entire surface.

6. Trim the bread to fit if you must.

7. Beat eggs until foamy, then beat in milk, applesauce and vanilla.

8. Pour egg mixture over the bread slices.

9. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

10. In the morning, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it stand while oven is preheated to 375 F.

11. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until bread is golden and firm.

12. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

13. To serve on a platter, run a knife around the edges of the casserole, place platter on top of casserole, and carefully flip.

14. To serve individually, use a spatula to remove serving, place serving plate on top of serving and carefully flip so apple side is up.