BANANA BREAD FRENCH TOAST

BANANA BREAD FRENCH TOAST

One recipe prepared banana bread, uncut (recipe follows)
1 cup milk or half-and-half
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 Tablespoons butter, divided
2 bananas, sliced
Confectioner’s sugar, for dusting
Maple syrup

Prepare banana bread as directed below and let cool completely. When ready to make french toast, slice off the ends of banana bread. Slice the remaining loaf into 8 thick slices, about 3/4-inch thick; set aside. In a bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg until combined. Pour into a pie tin or flat pan. Melt 1 Tablespoon of butter in a griddle pan or large skillet over medium-high heat. Dip 4 banana bread slices on both sides of milk mixture and place in hot pan. Cook until golden, about 3 minutes, then turn and cook other side until golden. Repeat with remaining tablespoon of butter and 4 slices of bread. Slice hot bread slices on a diagonal and serve 2 diagonals per person. Garnish each with slices of banana, dust with confectioner’s sugar, and pass the maple syrup.

Banana Bread

2 very ripe bananas
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan; set aside. Mash bananas in large mixing bowl. Stir in sugar, eggs, and oil until combined. Stir together flour, soda, and salt. Add flour mixture, buttermilk, and vanilla; stir until just blended. Fold in nuts. Pour mixture into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour and 10-15 minutes, or until tester inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on wire rack for 15 minutes, then turn out of pan and cool. Proceed with above directions for making banana bread french toast. You can also use your own favorite banana bread recipe, but this one is nice and firm with a good crust for making french toast.