French Toast with Caramelized Pears and Pecans

Real maple syrup is incredibly delicious, but carmelized pears and pecans?! This topping takes french toast for breakfast to a new level. Make it when pears are fresh during fall and the flavors will be amazing combined with warming cinnamon and sweet honey.  

Ingredients

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup pear, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon pecans, chopped
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon honey, divided
1 egg
1 tablespoon low fat milk
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 slice 100% whole wheat bread

Directions

1. Place nonstick skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray.
2. Combine vanilla, pear, pecans, cinnamon, and 1⁄2 teaspoon of honey in small bowl and stir to coat. Add mixture to skillet and cook, stirring 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from skillet and set aside. Coat skillet once more with cooking spray and return to heat.
3. Beat egg, milk, and cinnamon in shallow bowl. With a fork, dip bread into egg mixture. Flip to coat both sides.
4. Place bread in skillet and cook, 1 minute per side, or until bread is lightly browned and egg is cooked.
5. Top with pear and pecan topping and drizzle with remaining honey.

WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE French Toast is a special, indulgent breakfast, not one you eat every day. But this approach is at least a little healthier. The recipe calls for whole wheat bread instead of white and the pear-pecan topping instead of syrup. The topping is less sugary than straight syrup and you get vitamins from the pears and healthy fats and protein from pecans.