How To Propose A French Toast.

For my daughter's 13th birthday, she asked for a homemade breakfast: Classic French Toast with Bacon and Grilled Pineapples. Oh, a girl after my own heart. Well...I am her father and she already owns my heart, but asking for such a simple yet irresistible meal certainly doesn't  hurt.

Firstly, I won't provide a recipe for bacon. But I will tell you that the best way to cook bacon is to cook it in the oven and not stove top. On a baking sheet lined with parchment, line the sheet with bacon slightly overlapping. Place into oven preheated to 325 F and cook for approximately 20 minutes, or to to desired doneness/crispiness. Remove from the oven and drain the rendered bacon fat into a heat-proof glass. You may keep the fat for other uses such as frying home fries. If you do discard it, do not run it down your sink. Place it into your organic waste.

We always use McCutcheon's MapleSyrup - a fantastic maple syrup and highly recommended to anyone who travels near Orillia or Mount St. Louis-Moonstone. The uses of maple syrup are limitless and enjoyable. The obvious ones are dessert toppings or even a glaze for a main course. Not so obvious is to use the sugar to make Gravlax combined with Canadian Whiskey. Di-effin-vine.

This is a meal for anytime of the day but I can't think of much that exceeds the warmth and comfort of waking up on a Sunday morning, preparing French Toast with bacon and fresh fruit while listening to Classical music with my family. Does it get better?

Classic French Toast with Bacon, Grilled Pineapples with Lemon-Pineapple Smoothie

For the French Toast:

1 Loaf of Italian Bread or Egg Bread, cut into near inch slices
5 eggs, whipped
50 ml Milk
Pinch of Preferred Spices, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, whatever you like
1 Tbs. of Brown Sugar
Butter or Bacon Grease to cook

Lay out bread slices on a baking sheet for 10 minutes to allow to dry out.

In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, spices and brown sugar. Whip to combine.

On your stove top, set heat to medium or just under. Heat choice of fat for 5 seconds. Dip bread into egg wash and fry for 90 seconds per side.

Serve immediately. If you have much to cook, place in baking dish and place into a hot oven to re-heat before serving.

Top with butter and maple syrup.

Serves 4 - 6

For the bacon:

12 Slices of Bacon

Preheat oven to 325 f.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay out bacon slightly overlapping. Cook bacon for 20 - 25 minutes.

Drain fat and hold bacon in warm oven.

Serves 4.

For the smoothie:

1 L Lemonade
1 Peach, cut into chunks
3 - 4 Strawberries, washed and hulled
1/4 Pineapple, peeled and cored
Splash of Maple Syrup
3-4 Ice Cubes

In a blender, combine all ingredients and puree for 30 seconds.

Serves 4.

For the grilled pineapples:

3/4 Pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into slices
Drizzle of Canola Oil
Pinch of Smoked Paprika

Heat grill. Grill Pineapples. Hold with bacon.

Simple!!

Serves 4.

A Humble Chef's Tip: 200 f is standard warming temperature. You can hold the breakfast for up to 30 in a warm oven before serving.