The following is a guest post by Tess Masters, The Blender Girl – actor, presenter, lifestyle personality, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies book and app, The Perfect Blend, and The Detox Dynamo Cleanse. She and her easy healthy recipes have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Real Simple, Prevention, Clean Eating, the Today Show, and other media outlets. She is the global spokesperson for KitchenAid blenders and lives in Los Angeles.
This contest is now closed. In a few days the winners will be emailed directly.
For a fabulous family breakfast, brunch, dessert, or (dare I say it?) snack, you can’t beat this phenomenal French toast. My family and I have been battering up with this baby for years, and it is a huge hit with everyone we serve it to. People even say they prefer this healthier incantation of the classic comfort food to its original counterpart! I’ve received thousands of elated emails and messages on social media about this righteous recipe since I included it in my latest book The Perfect Blend, so I had to share it with you.
So simple, so delicious, so creamy, so crispy you may never blend your batter using dairy milk and eggs again. Yep! This terrific treasure is dairy free, egg free, and also gluten free, and it utilizes whole ingredients.
Now, before you grimace at the thought of using cardboard-like gluten-free sandwich bread (we all know how awful that can be), the brilliant batter in this recipe makes even the worst gluten-free bread full and fluffy! I use whole-grain gluten-free bread, but you could use regular whole-wheat bread as well. Just know that this recipe (ingredient ratios and cook times) has been calibrated for gluten-free bread. So, you may need more coconut oil when frying and will need to adjust the temperature of your stove top as well as the cook time.
But, resist the urge to use less coconut oil than what I’ve prescribed, otherwise, your bread won’t crisp up. I don’t know about you, but I love my French toast crispy on the outside and moist and chewy on the inside.
This French toast is a fun, family-friendly recipe. I make it with my niece and nephew, and they love soaking the bread and preparing their toppings so they can get their serving juuust right. The caramelized bananas I’ve included in this recipe are always a hit, but this fried bread will get cozy with any fruit that takes your fancy. Try serving it with stewed or poached apples, pears, peaches, rhubarb, or some fresh berries.
If you want to make this recipe nut-free, use rice, soy, or hemp milk in the batter, and top it with coconut flakes instead of nuts. Bon appetit!
Blend More Than Smoothies
I use my blender to make all kinds of delicious recipes. I think it’s the greatest culinary tool we’ve been given since fire and spoons! So, I want to encourage you to use your blender beyond smoothies, soups, and cocktails. Your blender can make healthy fast food possible. Blending makes life easier, levels the playing field in the kitchen, and allows anybody to whip up nutrient-dense, tasty foods with limited skills and time.
While my books and website do contain a full repertoire of drinks, smoothies, and soups, you’ll find more than food to sip, glug, or scoop up with a spoon. My recipes are blender centered but by no means blender only. I favor blender-inspired dishes—appetizers, snacks, salads, desserts, and easy main dishes you can attack with your trusty knife and fork.
Giveaway: Blender Worth $630 + Cookbooks
To help get you excited about using your blender more, I’m giving away a KitchenAid® Pro Line® Series blender worth $629.99 and copies of all of my cookbooks! (Enter at the bottom of this post.)
This is why I love this blender more than anything else on the market:
- The most powerful blender to pulverize ingredients for silky smooth consistencies.
- 3 Adapti-Blend™ pre-programmed settings for smoothies, soups, and juices.
- Insulated jar that keeps the contents cool when you’re blending smoothies and juices.
- BPA-free container with soft-touch handle grip and asymmetric stainless steel blade.
- Speed dial that goes to 11 to take things beyond regular speeds to completely pulverize ingredients more quickly.
- Pulse switch for an extra boost of power at any speed.
This is the best blender I have ever used. And I own them all!
I can’t wait to see who wins. Good luck!
French Toast
Reprinted with permission from The Perfect Blend, copyright 2016 Tess Masters. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.
Photography copyright 2016 by Anson Smart
Ingredients
French Toast
- 1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
- 1 medium banana, ripe
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds, white or black
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 slices bread, gluten-free
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
Caramelized Bananas
- 2 medium bananas, thickly sliced on the diagonal
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar, (or regular sugar)
- 1 - 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- Pure maple syrup, for serving
Toppings
- 2 tablespoons pecans, or walnuts, crushed
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
-
Set the oven to its lowest temperature or the “warm” setting.
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To make the French toast, pour the milk, banana, maple syrup, vanilla, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt into your blender and blast on high for about 30 seconds until well combined.
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Pour the mixture into a large shallow baking dish and let rest for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly. In batches, place slices of the bread in the baking dish and let soak on one side for 8 to 10 seconds. Flip the slices and let soak for another 8 to 10 seconds, until evenly moistened.
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In a medium skillet (that fits two slices of bread) or on a large griddle (that holds all of the slices) over medium heat, warm 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil per two slices of bread. (Resist the urge to use less coconut oil or the bread won’t get crispy.) Add the bread and fry for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy on the edges; you may need to add more coconut oil after you flip the bread. If cooking in batches, transfer the French toast to a lined baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm and repeat to fry the remaining bread, adding more coconut oil to cook each batch.
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While the last pieces of toast are cooking, make the caramelized bananas. Combine the banana slices and the coconut sugar in a zip-lock bag, seal, and shake to coat evenly.
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In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm the coconut oil, add the coated bananas, and fry for about 2 minutes on each side until nicely caramelized.
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Serve two slices of French toast on each plate, topped with one-quarter of the caramelized bananas, one-quarter of the crushed nut boosters, and one-quarter of the coconut booster. Pass maple syrup at the table.
Recipe Notes
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts
Giveaway Details*
One winner will receive:
- One (1) KitchenAid® Pro Line® Series blender valued at $629.99 (Color subject to availability)
- One copy of each of the three cookbooks in The Blender Girl series: The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend.
If you’d like to enter the contest, please read and follow these rules:
- This giveaway is open to residents of the USA and Canada who are 18 years or older.
- You have one chance to enter the contest by leaving a comment below sharing what you’d most like to use the blender for.
- The contest will end at 11:59 PM EST on August 11th, 2017.
- The winner will be selected at random and emailed directly (so make sure your address is entered correctly in your comments below!). The winner will have 3 days to respond before they are disqualified and a new winner is chosen.
The Contest Is Now Closed
*Limit one (1) entry per person, email address, and household for the duration of the giveaway period. Chances of winning depend on the number of entries. Entries will be chosen at random. Giveaway ends on August 11th, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be contacted on or around August 12th via email. The winner will have 3 days to respond before they are disqualified and a new winner is chosen. We may share your first name, last initial, and comment publicly but will not share any other information with anyone except to facilitate shipment of your prizes, which will be shipped directly from the respective vendor. 100 Days of Real Food will not use your email address for anything other than contacting you about this giveaway, however, if you sign up for our partner’s newsletter, you will be agreeing to their terms regarding their use of your email address. Giveaway open to US and Canadian residents only, aged 18 or over. We are not liable for errors stemming from lost/delayed e-mail, posting or typographical errors, technical failures, etc. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is being held by Leake, LLC doing business as 100 Days of Real Food. We may be reached at info{at}100daysofrealfood{dot}com.
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Giveaway: Electric Cooler that Works without Ice!
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Ayindeh
August 11, 2017 at 10:52 pmTo make smoothies at college.
Laura
August 11, 2017 at 10:53 pmWe lototry making soup in it!
Priscia
August 11, 2017 at 10:53 pmI would love to make healthy smoothies with my children, blended soups, and tasty saices to help my family eat more greens! Good luck everyone!
Angela P.
August 11, 2017 at 10:53 pmI’d LOVE to use this blender for soups, sauces, and smoothies!
Christina Campbell
August 11, 2017 at 10:55 pmSmoothies, ice cream, soup, dressings. Yes, please!
Tara
August 11, 2017 at 10:57 pmI would love this for soups and purees!!!
Jillian Too
August 11, 2017 at 10:58 pmI’d love to use the blender for breakfast smoothies.
Cassandra V
August 11, 2017 at 11:41 pmI’d love to use this blender to make green smoothies and also to try out some soup recipes.
Sadye
August 11, 2017 at 11:07 pmIt would be perfect for making my baby her purées! Oh and maybe a smoothie or two for my hubby!
Maureen
August 11, 2017 at 11:11 pmI would love to use the blender for soups and smoothies!!
Kim D
August 11, 2017 at 11:13 pmI would love to use the blender to teach my children how fun healthy eating and cooking can be! Thanks!!
Leia Parker
August 11, 2017 at 11:14 pmWith four kids I would probably use this blender daily for smoothies and soups!!
Andrea
August 11, 2017 at 11:19 pmI would use this blender for smoothies and sauces:)
Deb
August 11, 2017 at 11:32 pmMy old blender is too tired to be effective. A new blender for smoothies and soups will make me so happy! Bye bye old blender!
Julie
August 11, 2017 at 11:33 pmI was going to say smoothies but am now intrigued by the seemingly endless possibilities!
Cynthia K
August 11, 2017 at 11:37 pmI would use the blender for smoothies, shakes, purees and soups.
Amy
August 11, 2017 at 11:41 pmSmoothies, soups, and sauces.
Kaylee Stewart
August 11, 2017 at 11:46 pmSmoothies and chopping veggies to hide in dishes for my kids.
Gary
August 11, 2017 at 11:53 pmI would make smoothies
Miranda
August 11, 2017 at 11:54 pmI would love to make soup
Lucia Thomas
August 11, 2017 at 11:56 pmSoups and smoothies for is
Amanda
August 12, 2017 at 12:04 amGreen smoothies!!
Katrina Winborn-Miller
August 12, 2017 at 12:04 amI would use the blender to make more smoothies for myself & my kids, especially breakfast smoothies. Also, I’d love to make French toast with it and experiment making other recipes !
Amy Irsik
August 12, 2017 at 12:07 amI would use the blender to make protein shakes and smoothies first of all. I would use it instead of a food processor! So may possibilities!
Crystal Sharp
August 12, 2017 at 12:28 amSad I missed the giveaway because I just saw y’all are on EST! Lol.
I would’ve loved to try making my staple chicken veggie soup with that blender! I love my Kitchen Aid products and I’m sure the blender would not disappoint. I have to take up so much time chopping and processing that making whole food soups end up being so time-consuming. And I’d love my kids to help!
Thank you for that delightful recipe!!
Linda McDougall
August 12, 2017 at 12:58 amI would use this blender for EVERYTHING! My mom has cancer & we make her smoothies & she loves soups
Nicol Hebein
August 12, 2017 at 1:09 amMostly smoothies. My kids are picky veggie eaters, so I sneak in veggies in a smoothie.
Clarence Beeching
August 12, 2017 at 6:52 amGreat ideas
Melissa Harvey
August 12, 2017 at 8:39 amI’d love to have an awesome blender like this for smoothies that will help introduce foods to my kiddos and expand their diets.
Dana Petty
August 12, 2017 at 10:32 amI would use the blender for soups and smoothies.
Melody
August 12, 2017 at 10:55 amI would love to make smoothies and popsicles!
Patrice Epinger
August 12, 2017 at 11:50 amI would use the Kitchenaid blender to get back on track to healthy eating and lifestyle. I would make healthy soups, smoothies and much more.
Shawn Gautreaux
August 12, 2017 at 12:38 pmSmoothies, hummus, and avocado chocolate pudding! Makes me hungry just thinking about it.
julies
August 12, 2017 at 2:06 pmAllergy friendly? The first ingredient is ALMOND milk…that isn’t too friendly for people with almond allergies, like me.
I understand that it is gluten-free, but not allergy friendly. Was a bit disappointed.
Holly
August 12, 2017 at 2:15 pmI would use it to blend soups, smoothies and some batters. Would love it – especially the red color. Thank you!
Lisa Sharp
August 12, 2017 at 4:45 pmFor green smoothies of course.
Kris
August 12, 2017 at 5:06 pmI would use the blender for smoothies and soups mainly. It would be nice to have a full size blender since my Ninja doesn’t always hold quite enough.
Rachel K
August 12, 2017 at 5:19 pmBreakfast smoothies!
Julie Steadman
August 12, 2017 at 6:11 pmI will use this blender to make frozen treats. :)
Cynthia
August 12, 2017 at 8:43 pmI would use it to blend smoothies! We love smoothies!
Bethany Brown
August 12, 2017 at 9:57 pmI would make more smoothies to improve the foods in my diet on the go.
Kari Hughes
August 12, 2017 at 10:06 pmI would give this blender to my Mom, whose blender is not working…and she would use it for the smoothies she makes almost every day!
Greg Gilbert
August 12, 2017 at 10:10 pmI would use this blender for soups and for experiments in the kitchen!
Amanda B
August 13, 2017 at 12:48 amI would love to make more healthy smoothies, soups and sauces for my three growing girls. :)
Melissa H
August 13, 2017 at 8:07 amMy (3-year old) son loves to split a smoothie with me, but lately our go-to blender isn’t quite pulverizing everything the way it should. I’d love to use this blender to make our nutritious smoothies and shakes, and sneak it extra nutrition that he won’t even know is there! :)
Cari
August 13, 2017 at 3:16 pmOur morning smoothies! Thanks for the chance to win :)
Jessica
August 13, 2017 at 3:38 pmMy fav. blender thing to make….smoothies!
Railey
August 13, 2017 at 7:26 pmMy blender isn’t blending like it use to so it would be great to win a new one!With Fall coming I’m looking forward to blending up some cashew cream for all our favorite comfort foods dairy free!
Pitman @ Best Baby Blender
November 6, 2017 at 4:12 amI make such simple French toasts, my family is bored of them. This is such a nice idea to take French toasts to a whole new level. I’m definitely trying it for breakfast this Sunday!