Grilled French Bread with Fruit Compote

Whew! We made it through the Christmas rush. We fought the crowds; we shopped till we dropped, we wrapped, unwrapped, cleaned, cooked, served our guests and cleaned again. We visited with friends and family, stuffed our faces with fabulous foods and listened to the laughter and endless bickering of our children. Not to mention the five pounds we may have gained.

The perfect start to the New Year is brunch featuring my Grilled French Bread with fruit compote. We can start our New Year’s resolution to lose weight after that.

Your ingredients are one loaf of French bread, 5 eggs, ¼ cup eggnog, ¼ cup milk, ½ tablespoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg, powdered sugar, ½ cup water, 3 teaspoons sugar, 1 handful of fresh blueberries and 6 fresh strawberries and 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with water.

In a small pot combine the water, berries and sugar. Bring to a boil and add the cornstarch mixture. Let thicken and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, eggnog, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Using non stick spray on a griddle pan, heat up the surface to medium heat.

Slice the bread into ½ inch thick slices and soak in the egg batter.

Carefully place the bread on the griddle and cook a few minutes. Flip them one at a time to cook the other side. They should be lightly grilled.

Transfer the bread to a plate, dust with powdered sugar and drizzle the compote on top. Serve with fresh fruit.

With the end of the year here and the promise of a new one to begin so many of us need to recharge our internal battery so that we can be the best we can be. Whether  you need a manicure, pedicure, massage, a new hair cut, new outfit, a vacation or perhaps a new book to read make sure you leave enough time to renew, reinvent or recharge yourself and fill your ‘self love’ bucket. You certainly have earned it.

Happy New Year!

Until next time mangiare bene!