Eggs+-+Erin

= Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup  =



**Ingredients**

 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">8 large eggs
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 cups half-and-half
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 cup milk
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 tablespoons granulated sugar
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 teaspoon [|vanilla extract]
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Dash salt
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Praline Topping, recipe follows
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Maple syrup

**Directions**
 Slice [|French bread] into 20 slices, 1-inch each. 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. The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with [|maple syrup].    Praline Topping:

  <span style="display: block; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked <span style="color: #1e7bac; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">[|French Toast] [|Casserole]. <span style="display: block; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px;"> <span style="display: block; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px;">
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 cup packed light brown sugar
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 cup chopped pecans
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 tablespoons light <span style="color: #1e7bac; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">[|corn syrup]
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 * <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

<span style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px;">

<span style="display: block; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px;"> <span style="display: block; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px;"> <span style="display: block; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px;"> <span style="display: block; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"> = **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 35px;">Annotations ** = <span style="display: block; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding: 0px;">
 * About the Main Ingredients **


 * Bread-** The bread in the recipe will absorb the liquid ingredients and egg to become thicker and rise. It also will add to the body of the dish adding a cake-like texture. As you can see in the picture above the bread just about doubles in size as it absorbs the liquid ingredients.




 * Eggs-** The eggs in this recipe will help to soften the bread as well as make up the body of the dish. The use of eggs in this recipe are for the coagulation properties it has. As the dish bakes the proteins in the egg with start to denature or unfold and begin to aggregate to form a more solid structure which provides the majority of the body. The egg will mostly be absorbed by the bread making the bread swell which is also a similar process of osmosis or dispersion. The egg and milk mixture go from a high concentration into a low or no concentration (the bread) to create a balance in the ingredients. The egg also acts to bind the ingredients together so that the spices are evenly distributed and the flavors are consistent among the finished dish

The picture to the right shows an image of what the proteins will look like at different stages in the coagulation process.

The video below also gives some great information on eggs, milk and coagulation.

media type="youtube" key="y77dNgSbrQI" height="390" width="640"


 * Milk and Half and Half-** The milk and half and half help to give the egg more better body. It will also give the egg a creamier texture so that the egg is less rubbery from the baking. The milk proteins also have coagulation properties and assist the egg in forming a more solid structure. It can also enhance the flavor of the egg.


 * Sugar-** The sugar also helps the eggs build up body and coagulate. It also adds a sweeter flavor along with the cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg.

= Substitutions  =

To make a healthier version of this recipe you can substitute the following ingredients:


 * Eggs**- Use an egg substitute
 * Half and Half-** Use Fat Free Half and Half
 * Milk-** Use Skim Milk
 * You can also use plant based milks in place of the milk and half and half. Such as Soy, Rice or Almond Milk. Soy and Amond are thicker and would add a creamier texture over Rice milk which is thinner.
 * French Bread-** Use a 100% whole wheat bread
 * Butter** (in the Praline Topping)- Use Margarine

**References** Baked French Toast Casserole. Recipe by Paula Deen. Retrieved from [] (30 Mar. 2011)

Brown, A. (2011). Understanding Food Principles and Preparations. 4th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 259.

Coagulation. (13 Mar. 2008). Picture Retrieved from [] (30 Mar. 2011).

Health Food Facts: What is egg coagulation?. (24 April 2009) by Ehow Health. Video Retrieved from [] (30 Mar. 2011)