The Six Stooges

Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone! I woke up early this morning to make a special breakfast for the family. Those who know me know that I have a weird thing for "themes". The V.Day theme for this year is "Toes". I know, I know--toe-tally strange (o.k...that was "corny"). I found a really tasty recipe for Almond French Toast, so I thought I would share. This is a great meal to show your man you think he's "toe-tally" hot!

French Toe-st with Toe-sted Almonds
1 cup slivered almonds
3 eggs
1 cup milk
3 T. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla
12 thick French bread slices
3 T. oil
3 T. butter

Toast almonds in a saucepan until light brown (5 to 10 min.). Whisk eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, salt, almond extract, and vanilla. Soak bread slices til saturated. Place in a shallow pan and refrigerate for one hour. Heat oil and butter over med. heat. Press one side of soaked bread slices in almonds to coat. Cook both sides in the oil and buttered pan.
*** I served this "toe-st" with powdered sugar and a little bit of whipped cream on top and stawberries on the side. Round it out with some southern style hashbrowns (they're the little square-looking ones--well, they look the most like toes) and some bacon. I made some Carmelized Bacon which tastes mysteriously like the outer edge of a Honey Baked Ham. Here's the recipe: 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1 tsp. of cinnamon, and 1/2 lb. of bacon (about 8 slices). Heat oven to 450 and spray broiler pan with cooking spray. Line bottom of pan with foil. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon and coat the bacon in the mixture. Bake for 12-15 min. til done.
***"Toe-tally" tasty, but really filling. I normally have at least three snacks between breakfast and lunch (well, I am a nursing mother), but I was so full, I didn't eat until 12:30 for lunch. Phew!

If you want to know more about my "Toe" theme, here goes (if not, log off!--this is a rather lengthy post). THe kids and I made Jay a place mat that had their foot prints on it and said, "We toe-tally love you, Dad!" I wrote him a poem, of course. I also gave him some slippers, which he really wanted because our house is rather chilly. Tonight (shhh! DOn't tell because he doesn't know yet) we'll have a "Toe-st" to us (I'm trying a new smoothie recipe) and I'll give him a foot and toe massage by the fire (cuz it's "toe-sty"). FUn stuff. Anyway, hope you all have or had a fabulous Valentines Day!