Photo: Cristina Ferrare

I recently tried a line of food products called BLiS that got me so excited, I immediately spent the whole day in the kitchen trying out different recipes. I picked up three bottles of different flavored syrups: Pure Maple, Bourbon Barrel Natural and Tahitian Vanilla. I was so excited about the 100% pure maple syrup that I made my Sunday morning special, Cinnamon French Toast, in the middle of the week. I tried all three syrups on the French toast and I honestly couldn't pick which one I liked best. I have to say, however, if you don't like your syrup infused with flavor, the 100% pure maple is outstanding. Try any one of these syrups on your pancakes and French toast, and you're in for a treat!

Cinnamon French Toast

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 6 slices cinnamon bread, sliced 1 1/2 inches thick
• 2 large eggs, beaten in a bowl
• 1 1/2 cups low fat milk
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. orange extract
• 2 Tbsp. canola oil
• 1 cup organic raspberries
• 1 cup organic fresh blueberries
• 1 bottle of your favorite BLiS 100% maple syrup
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

Directions

Heat an indoor grill pan or 12- to 14-inch cast iron skillet on medium high.

In a medium bowl, add the eggs and beat slightly, add milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, orange extract and beat together. Pour the egg mixture into a glass pie plate.

Add 1 to 2 pieces of bread (depending on fit) to the egg/milk mixture and let stand for 2 minutes. Use a metal spatula to flip over and let the bread soak again for 2 more minutes.

Brush the grill using a pastry brush with the canola oil. Turn the heat to medium low, add as many pieces of bread that will fit without over-crowding on the grill pan and cook for three minutes on one side then gently flip using a metal spatula and cook for three minutes more.

If you can only cook a few pieces at a time, cover the finished ones loosely with foil and place in the oven on a plate set at 200 degrees to keep warm. Place all of your serving plates in the oven as well to them keep warm.

Place a piece of French toast on the plate and cut in half, add a handful of the fresh berries and 3 to 4 mint leaves. Serve the maple syrup on the side. Pour on as much as you want!