Almond French Toast (free of eggs and dairy)

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Almond French Toast

 

1/2 cup raw almonds

1 1/3 cups water, divided

2 tablespoons brown rice syrup or maple syrup

2 teaspoons unbleached cane sugar or white sugar from sugar beets

3/4 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

8 slices whole-grain bread

safflower oil for oiling pan

 

Begin by blanching the almonds. In a small saucepan, place 2 inches of water,

and bring to a boil. Add the almonds and cook for 1 minute to blanch them.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and set aside for 3 minutes to cool.

Remove the almonds from the water, squeeze each almond between your thumb and

forefinger to remove their skins, and set them aside for 5 minutes to dry and

cool.

Place the almonds in a blender or food processor and process for 1 to 2 minutes

to finely grind them. Add 1/3 cup of the water and the brown rice syrup and

process for 1 minute or until smooth. Add the remaining water, sugar, almond

extract, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and process the mixture an

additional 2 minutes or until very smooth and creamy.

Transfer the mixture to a large casserole dish. Place 4 slices of the bread in

the almond mixture, flip them over to coat the other side, and then let the

slices of bread soak in the liquid mixture for 2 minutes.

Using a little safflower oil, lightly oil a large non-stick skillet (or

griddle), and place it over medium heat. Using a fork, carefully remove the

slices of bread from the almond mixture, and place them in the hot skillet. Cook

the bread slices for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown, carefully flip the

slices over, and cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown.

While cooking the first batch, repeat the soaking procedure for the remaining 4

slices of bread. Transfer the French toast to a large plate. Lightly oil the

skillet again with a little safflower oil and repeat the cooking procedure for

the remaining slices of bread.

Serve the French toast with your choice of jams, preserves, syrups, or fresh

fruit.

Yields 8 slices