Honey Pear Toasts

A grand dessert for guests but also delicious served with brunch. Choose good quality, day-old bread slices which stay firm even when soaked in egg mixture.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Standing Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Serves 4

3 Ontario Eggs

1/2 cup (125 mL) Ontario Milk

1 tbsp (15 mL) granulated sugar

1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla

4 thick slices day-old, home-style, white or egg bread (1-inch/2.5 cm)

1/2 cup (125 mL) lightly toasted, sliced almonds

2 tbsp (25 mL) unsalted butter

3 firm Ontario Pears, peeled, cored and cut lengthwise in 1/4-inch (5 mm) slices

2 tbsp (25 mL) candied ginger, finely diced

Pinch salt

1/4 cup (50 mL) Ontario Honey

4 scoops vanilla or green tea ice cream

4 chocolate pretzel stick cookies or thin wafer cookies

In large baking dish, using fork lightly beat eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla. Dip bread slices into egg mixture, turning to coat all sides. Let stand until egg mixture is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, spread almonds on separate tray; set aside.

In large nonstick skillet, melt 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the butter over medium-high heat. Press one side of each bread slice into almonds; transfer to skillet, almond side down, pressing gently. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Using spatula, flip over; cook uncovered, pressing gently until browned, about 3 minutes.

Transfer toast to cutting board, almond side up. Using cookie cutter, cut-out hole in centre of each toast; place toast on individual plates, setting cut-out aside. Rinse and dry skillet.

Return skillet to medium-high heat; melt remaining butter. Add pears, 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the ginger and salt. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes; turn slices over and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Add honey; continue cooking until bubbling and mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in any remaining almonds.

Scoop ice cream into centers of plated toast. Top with warm pears, remaining ginger, toast cut-out and cookies.

Nutritional Information:

1 Serving

PROTEIN: 16 grams

FAT: 25 grams

CARBOHYDRATE: 90 grams

CALORIES: 640

FIBRE: 6 grams

SODIUM: 500 mg

– Printed with permission from Foodland Ontario