Pizza Stuffed French Toast

Serving:4 servings

Prep. Time:10 minutes

Cooking Time:4 minutes

Ingredients:

10 slices (1/2 inch/1 cm thick) Italian loaf
1/3 cup (80 mL) pizza sauce
35 slices pepperoni
Half green pepper, thinly sliced
3 mushrooms, thinly sliced (optional)
10 slices mozzarella or provolone cheese
4 eggs
1/3 cup (80 mL) milk
2 tbsp (30 mL) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano leaves
Pinch each salt and pepper
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter

Description:

Lay the bread slices on work surface and spread with pizza sauce. Top half with 1 slice of the mozzarella, then pepperoni, pepper and mushrooms, if using. Place remaining cheese on top. Top with remaining bread slices; set aside.

In shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, cheese, oregano, salt and pepper. Dip sandwiches into egg mixture, turning to soak up the egg mixture.

In large non-stick skillet or griddle, melt butter over medium heat and cook sandwiches, turning once for about 4 minutes per side or until brown and crisp and cheese is melted.

• Peanut Butter and Banana Variation: Omit pizza sauce, pepperoni, pepper, mushrooms and cheese. Substitute 1/2 cup (125 mL) smooth or crunchy peanut butter and 2 large bananas, thinly sliced. Omit cheese, oregano and pepper from egg mixture and use 1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cinnamon. 4 minutes per side or until brown and crisp and cheese is melted.