Caramelized French Toast with Vanilla Pears

Recipe courtesy of California Pear Advisory Board.

Recipe Ingredients:

Vanilla Pears:
2 tablespoons butter
3 large ripe Bartlett pears, peeled, cored and sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramelized French Toast
2 large eggs
2/3 cup half-and-half
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 (1 1/4-inch) thick slices challah bread (or other sweet egg bread)
2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
Vanilla bean ice cream for accompaniment (optional)

Cooking Directions:

1. Melt butter in a medium skillet. Add pears, brown sugar, packed and vanilla extract. Simmer over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes until pears are tender. Remove from heat and carefully remove pears from pan with a slotted spoon. Let pears stand for a few minutes, then drain any juices into skillet.
2. Place skillet back over medium-high heat and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. To prepare French toast, beat eggs, half-and-half, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a large shallow bowl.
4. Add bread slices and let soak for about 2 minutes to absorb mixture. Turn and let stand 2 minutes more.
5. Melt butter in a large skillet. Sprinkle a 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar, packed on each side of bread. Cook over medium-high heat for about 2 to 3 minutes per side until crisp, being careful not to burn the sugar.
6. Transfer to plates and top with pears, caramel sauce and a small scoop of ice cream, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 of recipe): Calories: 500; Total Fat: 21g; Cholesterol: 175mg; Total Carbs: 70g; Fiber: 4g; Protein: 9g; Sodium: 370mg.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of California Pear Advisory Board.