Welcome (back) to the blog and thanks for taking the time to stop by on another Meatless Monday. We at Planet Forward took the pledge to support this sustainable practice that promotes eliminating meat from your diet one day per week with the goal of reducing meat consumption by 15% to improve personal and planetary health. A small sacrifice for big reward.

Today’s vegetarian dish is one that is traditionally served at breakfast but when we’re talking about Paula Deen’s delicious baked French toast casserole with maple syrup and praline, anytime is “brinner” time. We’re not going to pretend this is the healthiest vegetarian option out there but if you’re looking for something a little more on the decadent side, this should make the list. Plus it is made the day before so it just has to be popped into the oven the day you’ll be serving it fresh. Our sincere thanks to Food Network’s Paula Deen and her wonderful show Paula’s Home Cooking for this unbelievable (and calorie packed) recipe. Let’s get cooking.

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash salt
• Praline Topping, recipe follows
• Maple syrup

Directions:

1. Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
2. The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole recipe

This recipe for Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup serves 6-8 people but you can double or half it if serving more or less. You can serve with a fresh fruit salad to add some raw nutrition. If you’d like, you can make this recipe a little healthier by substituting the white bread for whole wheat or whole grain bread. You can also substitute the half-and-half cream with milk, cut back on the butter or replace it with non-hydrogenated margarine and you can use Egg Beaters to replace some or all of the eggs. The cooking time may vary depending on your oven so keep checking it. It could require more time than indicated in the recipe. Not your regular dinner fare but that’s ok. Heck, you can make it even more green and shut the lights off and light some candles – it’s just that kind of dinner.

If you want to learn more about this sustainable practice, please visit www.meatlessmonday.com and take the pledge today.

Enjoy.