Hey there!  I'm Jaimie from Living in the Light and I'm
thrilled to be doing a guest post for Kelsey while she's on vacation (my first
ever!)!  Hope you're having a great time, Kelsey--can't wait to hear all
about it when you get back.  :)

A little about me--I'm newly married, and I blog what I'm learning about life,
marriage, homemaking, cooking, and most importantly, my faith in Jesus Christ.
 I'm doing my best to "live in the light" of Christ!

So I'd like to share with you a recipe that is based partially on something my
mom makes, and partially something I came up with myself when I had some old,
dry bread that I didn't want to throw away.  Baked French Toast is a
great way to use any leftover bread--it doesn't have to be plain, or even all
one kind.  Once I used some homemade oat bread and some banana bread, and
it was delicious.  Cooked Apples is a simple side dish I've been making
since high school.  It goes well with pancakes, French toast, waffles, or
even a savory meal like pork.

Ingredients:
For Baked French Toast
5 cups bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 eggs
2 - 2 1/2 cups milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 T butter
For Cooked Apples
three medium apples
1 T butter, cut up
1/8 tsp cinnamon
3 T brown sugar

Oven temperature: 350 degrees F
Prep time for Baked French Toast: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Prep time for Cooked Apples: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
(for both things it's about an hour start to finish)
Serves: 4

Instructions:


1.  Cut the bread into (about) 1-inch cubes.  It's not an exact
science.  :)



2. Beat 2 eggs and 2 cups milk until well combined.  If your bread is
very dry, use 2 1/2 cups milk.



3. Pour milk mixture over cubed bread, and stir to coat evenly until all bread
is moistened.  If your bread is extra-dry, you may let it sit a few
minutes at this point for the bread to soak up the liquid.

4. Mix 1/4 tsp cinnamon into the bread mixture.

5. Spray a baking dish (3-4 quarts) with cooking spray, or grease with butter
or margarine.

6. Pour bread mixture into baking pan.

7. Cut up 1 T butter into small pieces.

8. Dot bread mixture with butter.

9. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes, or until liquid is fully absorbed and
French toast is slightly browned on top.

Meanwhile, make the Cooked Apples.  First, line up three pretty apples on
your counter and take a picture of them.  (This is optional.)

1. Peel, core and slice the apples.  I peel mine directly into a plastic
grocery bag for easier cleanup.


Slice the apples thinly and uniformly.


2. While you're slicing your last apple, put 1 T of butter in a pan set at
medium-low heat.  Let the butter melt.

3.  Add the apples to the pan.

4. Sprinkle the apples with 1/8 tsp cinnamon and 3 T brown sugar.  Stir
to coat the apples evenly with the cinnamon and brown sugar.  Let the
apples cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, or until apples
are partially softened but not mushy.*

Serve a slice of the Baked French Toast with a generous helping of apples, and
drizzle it all with maple syrup.
* To make homemade applesauce, follow the directions for Cooked Apples except
make the following changes: Chop apples into 1/2 inch chunks.  Bring
butter, apples, cinnamon and sugar (and the liquid that will result) to a
simmer, and then turn heat down to low.  Cook for 45 minutes to an hour,
or until apples are brown and very soft.  Remove from heat and mash with
a potato masher.  Applesauce is good hot or cold!