Not Your Mother's French Toast

Greek cuisine is about good living: good food and positive healthy life.   For many people the idea of good food and a healthy life mean sacrificing taste or only eating small portions, but this is simply not the case.  The Greek diet is proof that you can live a healthy life without depriving yourself of good tasting food. 

This is my second post for FAGE Greek Yogurt.  I honestly believe that one of the easiest ways to bring a positive healthy life into your diet without sacrificing taste is by using Greek Yogurt in dishes that you would normally make.  By substituting cream, mayonnaise, sour cream and other thickening agents with FAGE Greek Yogurt, you can easily remove the fat, add in protein and keep all the flavor.  Mr. Apron and I have been doing this for years and I can attest that it works.  There is a reason why the Greek diet is constantly rated as one of the healthiest.  

During the week my breakfasts are very simple. Usually fruit, oat bran and Greek yogurt that I eat after a run as I head out to work.  But on the weekends when I have more time I love being able to make a breakfast and invite family members over.  French toast is one of my family's favorites, but ordinary french toast can get a little boring.  A certain theme park used to sell a version of french toast that I loved.  Many people have tried recreating it and there are versions of the recipe on the internet but all them require heavy cream.  So, I decided to create my own version using FAGE Greek Yogurt. 

For me this french toast epitomizes "good living". If the Greek God Zeus were to ask for french toast this is what he would want to be served.  This isn't a simple french toast you make in pan.  It soaks in the batter overnight and is then baked all together in a loaf pan.  The brown sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and yogurt all meld together with the bread. Once the bread is baked together it has so much flavor you really don't need to cover it with maple syrup like traditional french toast.  A few drops will satisfy any maple cravings.  And as a host I love this dish because you prep it the night before and then you put it in the oven.  If you are having guests over you don't have be in front of the stove.  All you have to do is cut it and serve to your guests.

Not Your Mothers French Toast
16 Slices of White Bread
1 1/2 sticks butter sliced
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon divided
1 1/2 cups FAGE Greek Yogurt
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mixed together brown sugar and one teaspoon of cinnamon set aside.

In a medium sized bowl add Greek Yogurt, eggs, vanilla and remaining teaspoon of cinnamon.  Beat together with a handheld mixer until well blended.  Place in refrigerator until ready to use.

Spray a loaf pan with a non-stick cooking spray.  Layer three pieces of bread on bottom of pan.  Evenly distribute one quarter of the brown sugar mixture on top of the bread. Place one quarter of the butter on top of the brown sugar.  Repeat with three more layers of bread, brown sugar and butter.  Top with remaining three pieces of bread.  Slowly pour yogurt batter one top of the bread.  Be sure to evenly distribute it and get in all the corners and edges.  Cover with parchment paper and wrap with foil.  Place in refrigerator and allow to sit overnight.

The next morning preheat oven to 325 degrees.  When oven is at temperature remove loaf pan from refrigerator.  Place loaf pan on a cookie sheet to catch any dripping to put in oven.  Bake cover for one hour.  After one hour, remove foil and parchment paper and bake for another 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and invert loaf over a cutting board.  Cut loaf and serve.

As part of the Foodbuzz Featured Publisher program, I have been entered for the chance to win a trip to Greece courtesy of FAGE. You too can enter to win one of three trips to Greece by entering the FAGE Plain Extraordinary Greek Getaway here: http://www.fageusa.com/community/fage-greek-getaway