In my books November is officially the start of comfort food season. Tasty casseroles, soups and stews just to name a few. The following recipe is a perfect make-ahead weeknight supper or brunch idea. It is also a great excuse to use up leftovers (meat and/or veggies) you have in your refrigerator. Serve with a side of mixed greens for a delicious comfort food meal the whole family will enjoy.
Thanks to the creamy texture of Earth’s Own Amoré, this French toast requires no eggs. Earth’s Own Amoré is an almond dairy blend beverage; dairy to promote strong, healthy bones and almonds to maintain heart health. For more information about Earth’s Own Amoré visit: www.amoredairy.com
½ cup (125 mL) prepared red pepper jelly (or homemade) or whole berry cranberry sauce
1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried thyme leaves
12 slices of crusty bread, cut ½ inch thick (about a 1 lb/454 g loaf)
1 cup (250 mL) grated aged cheddar cheese
½ lb (250 g) sliced deli style turkey breast
3 cups (750 mL) lightly packed baby spinach
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
2 cups (500 mL) Earth’s Own Amoré
½ cup (125 mL) pure pumpkin puree
1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard
½ tsp (2 mL) salt
1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper
Pinch nutmeg
Stir together red pepper jelly with dried thyme. Spread mixture evenly on one side of each slice of bread. Place 6 slices of bread on the bottom of a 9 X 13 inch, very well greased glass baking dish (red pepper jelly side up). Divide cheese, turkey, spinach and sliced pepper evenly on each slice of bread and top with remaining bread (jelly side down). Whisk together almond milk, pumpkin, mustard, salt, pepper and nutmeg and pour over assembled bread. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C ). Remove cover and bake in center of preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until almond milk has set and bread is crispy on top. Makes 6 servings.
Charmaine Broughton-Dunn is a trained chef, cooking instructor, and food writer for a number of national publications. She is an avid runner (completing dozens of marathons and triathlons) and is a very proud ambassador of Mizuno Running. Charmaine has appeared on City Line, Toronto’s Breakfast Television and is a regular guest on Rogers Daytime sharing her love of food and cooking.
Most importantly; Charmaine is the mother of two active boys, Tyler & Colgan. Charmaine understands the importance of preparing healthy wholesome dishes all while keeping budget and time in mind. Follow Charmaine on twitter @runnercharb www.charmainebroughton.com