Pecan Pie French Toast
I’ve already told you all about my deep love for weekend breakfasts. But maybe I haven’t told you why.
I have this amazing husband, that I sometimes think loves me more that I deserve. And I always worry that I’m going to fall off this pedestal he’s placed me on.
And I have this daughter that is already cooler and more spectacular than I will ever be. I know I’ll always be proud of her, but I worry about her being proud of me.
And I have to leave her 5 days a week and go to an office. And help people.
And I worry. About being a good mom. About all the insane things that could happen to Tater, because it happened once to someone, somewhere, one time, 12 years ago.
I worry that I spend too much time away from her. Is she happy enough? Am I doing the right thing by working? Would I lose all sanity if I was a real life Stay At Home Mom? I want her to have all the things that I didn’t, but one of those things is lots of one on one time…
Being a mom is so hard. No matter what your situation.
And even though these scary thoughts consume my drive to and from work, and sometimes make me cry, I always know that I can count on weekend breakfast. I know that no matter what else made me feel like a failure during the rest of the week, I can feel like I did something right.
I cooked yummy food for my little family. We ate it together. And we all smiled. For a small window of my week, we were perfect…. except when Tater put eggs in her Big Girl cup, and threw toast on the ground, and cried because I was taking too long to get it all to the table, and she fed Sophia raisins that could make dogs sick…OK, perfect doesn’t exist when you are a human and being a mom makes you see that gap as a huge chasm that you will never even make it half way across. But weekend breakfast makes it feel smaller.
I know that when I get old, I won’t remember the lack of sleep. The long commutes on LA freeways. The tantrums that drive me to a crazy place. But I will remember that smiling face. The family breakfast. Even though I have less patience than I want to have, and the thought of all the responsibility that goes along with parenting makes me so overwhelmed…. I still believe that theses really are "the good 'ole days." At least that’s how I will remember them. When I live to be 100.
Pecan Pie French Toast
(Will make you feel a little bit closer to perfect.
To be made during those weeks when you need to know that you did at least one thing right)
For the Filling/Topping
1 stick of butter
1 cup of firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup (like Karo)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups chopped pecans
2 lightly beaten eggs
For the Toast:
8 slices of thick cut bread
3 eggs
2 cups of milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbs sugar
Preheat oven to 400.
In a large sauce pan over medium high heat, combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, allow to boil for about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the pecans and vanilla and allow to cool to about room temp.
In a large bowl, combine the 3 eggs, milk, 1 tsp vanilla, salt, and sugar and whisk to combine. One at a time, soak each slice of bread for about 30 seconds. Add to a hot pan over medium-high heat, coated with non-stick cooking spray. Cook on each side for about 2-4 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a baking sheet, sprayed with non stick cooking spray (slices will be stacked, two slices high, so you only need a baking sheet big enough for 4 slices.) Repeat for all slices.
In a small bowl, beat the 2 eggs until combined. Add to your cooled pecan mixture and stir until well combined (if the pecan mixture is too hot, you will make scrambled eggs, make sure it’s room temp). Return to heat and allow to boil, stirring frequently, for 2-5 minutes or until thickened. Allow to cool a bit.
On one slice of bread, add about 2-4 tbs of the pecan mixture to the center. Top with another slice of toast. Repeat until you have 4 "sandwiches " of pecan pie stuffed french toast on a baking sheet.
Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
Add to a plate and top each serving with 2-4 tbs of the remaining pecan mixture.
Enjoy.
Give yourself a break, you are a good human. You made a great breakfast, the rest of the world can wait.
Printable: Pecan Pie French Toast
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Comments
Tina@flourtrader November 9, 2011 um 12:56 pm
This is a post that so many people can relate to! Days can be long and hectic but at least you realize that it will not always be that way. Your super breakfast surely is the start of a wonderful weekend ahead. I have had nuts in pancakes, but this is so much more than that. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
Jackie November 9, 2011 um 1:18 pm
Thanks Tina! It’s so hard to keep it all in perspective sometimes. We just have to do our best and do everything in our power to enjoy as much of our lives as we can 🙂
claire @ the realistic nutritionist November 9, 2011 um 1:25 pm
First, we all go through this. It’s normal to think we don’t deserve what we have, we aren’t good enough for who we have and we are going to miss everything by living, breathing and working. Trust me, I know the feeling! I sometimes think if I blink again I’m going to miss everything. Just remember to live in the moment and know you deserve it all 🙂
Plus, that french toast? Yeah, that looks amazing!
Jackie November 9, 2011 um 2:18 pm
Thank you, so sweet of you to say. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in small things and forget to just be grateful, not only for the people in our lives but for ourselves, the people we have become and the gifts & talents we get to have. Sometimes I just need to take a step back and take a breath!
Sook November 9, 2011 um 9:29 pm
Oh wow, what a great looking french toast with pecans! 🙂
Kim Bee November 9, 2011 um 9:32 pm
Aw, this is heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. I have been an at home mom for 23 years and here’s my take on things. While I had time we can’t provide things some parents can who both work. My kids rely on scholarships for school. We struggle financially and life can be a bit rough sometimes. So there is always good and bad no matter whether you stay home or work. I think you have to do what’s best for you and your family and not bust your own chops so much. It’s hard enough to be a mom without feeling guilty about everything, worrying about it all. I can tell by reading this you are an amazing mom. Your daughter is lucky to have you. Don’t sweat the small stuff so much. If you just love her with all your heart that’s all she needs and wants. Hope this helps.
Recipe is amazing, as always! xx
Jackie November 10, 2011 um 8:33 am
Kim! This made me cry. Thank you so much. I just have to remind myself that there is no such thing as a perfect situation and I just have to value and appreciate what is great about the situation that I am in. Thank you for your support, it’s always good to have the knowledge and wisdom of another mom to get you through 🙂
Emily November 10, 2011 um 5:30 am
Oh heavens, this looks amazing. Especially for someone like me who LOVES pecan pie.
Meghan November 10, 2011 um 10:31 am
This looks amazing! I must try this, and soon!
Savannah@HammockTracks November 13, 2011 um 5:20 pm
I saw where this recipe was featured on TastyKitchen. Oh this looks so darn good! Would you please consider adding it to my blog hop? Here is the direct link – http://www.savannahssavorybites.com/2011/11/under-big-top-friday-november-11.html
I look forward to seeing what else you have cooked up. Oh and I pinned this recipe.
Jackie November 14, 2011 um 10:45 am
Thank you so much! I love to see my recipes pinned 🙂 I’m gonna check out your blog hop, sounds fun.
sarah November 13, 2011 um 8:32 pm
This looks amazing! can not wait to try it…
Haley @ CheapRecipeBlog.com May 17, 2012 um 10:26 am
Beautiful post! Sounds like your cooking is an act of love. Can’t wait to try this delish breakfast!
Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad – Domestic Fits November 19, 2012 um 12:43 pm
[…] always eat breakfast. Once in a while I have fatty things, like that french toast I still can’t stop thinking about. But 5 out of 7 days, its 2 slices of reduced calorie […]